§ 1. Mr. Baldwinasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent goods packed in hay or straw from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent are permitted into Great Britain; and what steps are taken to ensure that this packing material does not come into contact with animals in this country and thus spread the disease.
§ Mr. John HareThe actual import of goods packed in hay or straw is not restricted on animal health grounds, but the disposal of these packing materials is regulated by the Foot and Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Orders, 1925 and 1926, which in particular prohibit the materials being brought into contact with ruminating animals and swine. For at least eighteen years no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been attributed by my Department to these packing materials.