§ Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state what regulations are to be issued now respecting the importation of Irish live stock; and whether he will, in view of Christmas requirements, permit fat stock for immediate slaughter to be landed at the foreign animals wharves in Great Britain and at Holyhead?
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§ Mr. RUNCIMANPerhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to my reply to the similar question addressed to me to-day by the hon. Member for North Westmeath.
§ Mr. FALCONERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the detention of the cargo of I cattle taken from Dublin to Dundee by the "Tiger" is causing serious loss to the owners and injury to the cattle, and great inconvenience to Scottish farmers who desire to purchase them; that the animal suspected has been for eight months in a field with other cattle and I none of these have been affected; and whether he is now satisfied that there is no reason to suspect disease in this cargo and will allow it to be immediately disposed of?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware of and much regret the loss occasioned to the owners of the cattle in question, but I am advised that the period within which they I have been actually in contact with a diseased animal is much too recent to enable them to be released with safety at present.
§ Mr. FALCONERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the detention of store cattle at the port of landing for quarantine and inspection is practically prohibitive of the importation of such cattle from Ireland, at Glasgow, Ardrossan, and Ayr, on account of the want of accommodation and the risk of deterioration and disease; and whether he will arrange for the detention of store 78W cattle for inspection and quarantine in Ireland before the animals are gathered together at the quays and on board the ships?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe hon. Member does not state in his question what length of time he means to indicate by the term detention, but so far as my intentions and information go they do not confirm the view expressed in the first part of the question. On the contrary, I have reason to believe that accommodation can be and will be provided at Scottish and other ports which will enable store cattle to be rested and fed and watered, and at the same time closely inspected by the Veterinary officers of the Board, with great advantage from every point of view. I understand that it would be impracticable to arrange for the detention of animals for the required period in Ireland, but in any case, after what has happened during the current year, British stockowners will undoubtedly expect me to arrange for the careful inspection of cattle on their being landed here and before their disposal for store or other purposes.
§ Mr. GLAZEBROOKasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can see his way to allowing the importation of live cattle and pigs from Ireland and elsewhere, provided that they are slaughtered at the port of entry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANPerhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to the reply which I have given to-day to the question addressed to me by the hon. Member for North Westmeath.