HL Deb 24 November 1908 vol 197 cc23-5
THE EARL OF ONSLOW

My Lords, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture the following Questions, of which I have given private notice: (1) What number of vessels with cattle are on their way from ports in the United States the cargoes of which the Board of Agriculture have prohibited the landing; (2) Whether any action is being taken by the Federal or State authorities to cope with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in America; (3) What is the extent of the trade between the prohibited ports and the United Kingdom; and (4) Whether the Board anticipates that the prohibition will cause a rise in the price of meat or add materially to the number of those unemployed in this country?

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

My Lords, the reply to the first Question is that since information of the existence of the disease in the United States was received four vessels have arrived and six are expected. The cattle on the vessels which have arrived are, I am glad to be able to say, free from disease. The animals on all these vessels, whether diseased or not, will be slaughtered without delay—the usual ten days' interval will not be allowed. The answer to the second Question is that last Thursday the Board were informed that 100 Federal inspectors and some United States veterinary surgeons were applying measures which were adopted in 1902, including the slaughter of suspected herds, the destruction of carcases, and the disinfection of operators. The United States are doing everything in their power to meet this country, and have met us in every possible way. Stringent restrictions on the movement of cattle are in force, and the Federal authorities have assured our Ambassador that identical restrictions will forthwith be imposed wherever the disease spreads, and the information will be cabled to the Board at once. Just before I came down to the House I received the following telegram from the Ambassador of the United States— Reported outbreaks in Maryland and Michigan are not confirmed. Both States are being carefully watched. The answer to the third Question is that the total number of animals landed in this country from the United States were 168,380 odd cattle and 40,000 odd sheep. The number landed from the infected ports during the six months ended March 31st, 1908, was 63,849 cattle and 11,027 sheep. The reply to the fourth Question is that the live imports of cattle shipped from the United States represent less than 5 per cent. of our total meat supply, home and imported, and if they were entirely stopped, though, of course, it would mean a serious stoppage of local employment, yet the price of meat should not be seriously affected.