§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the two hours' detention order regarding cattle intended for embarkation was ever heard of until the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; were any representatives of the cattle raisers or cattle dealers or any Irish interest consulted when this order was made operative; is there any trace whatever of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland now; if not, will he say why an 1913W order brought in for the first time in the cattle industry ostensibly to deal with this disease and which causes hardship on the farming community is maintained; and, in view of the statements made by all classes connected with the Irish cattle trade that this order is one which is not necessary and harmful, will the Department have regard to Irish public opinion and revert to the old policy?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe period of two hours' detention for animals at Irish ports was established after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain in the year 1912, this outbreak being traceable to cattle sent from Ireland. The proposal for such a detention period was first made to the Department by the Board of1914W Agriculture and Fisheries in order to minimise the risk of disease in connection with the movement of livestock from Ireland to Great Britain. As explained in my reply of 10th instant to the hon. Member for Limerick City, the Regulation was decided upon after full consultation with all the interests concerned, including the cattle traders and transit companies, and was designed not only to secure effective inspection in connection with disease but also to provide for the resting, feeding and watering of animals, many of which had travelled long distances. There is no foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland at present, but the Department are not prepared to modify a Regulation which in their opinion is both humane and necessary.