§ Mr. COURTHOPEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the cause of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey has yet been traced; and what steps have been taken to guard against the introduction of this disease through the medium of hay, straw, cakes, or other feeding stuffs?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe answer to the first part is in the negative. With a view to prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into this country, the Board issued an Order in March, 1908, prohibiting the landing of hay and straw from all countries in which the disease is known to exist or has recently existed. Certain exceptions are made in the Order, a copy of which I shall be happy to supply to the hon. Member. No restrictions have been placed on the importation of cakes or other feeding stuffs by reason of the fact that the disturbance and loss which would arise would far outweigh any advantage to be gained as regards the prevention of infection.