FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN PENNSYLVANIA. (Hansard, 19 November 1908)

§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (Earl CARRINGTON)

My Lords, I am sorry to say that the report alluded to by the noble Lord is correct. On Monday, 16th November, the Board received an intimation by cable from the British Consul at Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) that foot and mouth disease had appeared at Danville (Pennsylvania), a town in the centre of the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and about seventy miles from the port. Every port inspector of the Board was notified at once by telegram and enjoined to take special care in veterinary examination of all animals landed from America for slaughter. The Consul was instructed by the Foreign Office to report fully by telegram particulars upon which the report was based. I sent information to Lord Strathcona, and had an interview with him on the subject. On Wednesday, the 18th, a report from the Consul was received stating that the disease had been fully diagnosed as aphthous fever—foot and mouth disease—by both the Federal and State authorities. A later telegram stated that the senior veterinary officer of Pennsylvania reported that fourteen farms were affected in four counties adjacent to Danville; that 230 animals had been found affected with the disease and 200 destroyed. We are informed that the disease is under complete control and that the authorities are quite satisfied that the outbreak is checked. On receiving this information the Board decided forthwith to add the State of Pennsylvania to the Schedule of the Foreign Animals Order of 1903 and to that of the Foreign Hay and Straw Order of 1908. The necessary Order was made yesterday and comes into force on the 21st instant. The effect of the Order is to prohibit the landing in Great Britain of animals or of hay or straw from Pennsylvania as from that date, but special steps will be taken for dealing with cargoes now on the seas. The issue of the Order has 1362 been notified to the Federal Government by cable through the British Ambassador at Washington, who has been asked to acquaint the Board with precise particulars as to the nature and extent of the restrictions which have been imposed by the American authorities as regards the movement of animals within or out of the State of Pennsylvania.