§ Mr. S. MITCHELLasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that legislation in Canada and New Zealand compels that straw bottle-wrappers and straw used as packing shall be disinfected before being shipped to these countries; and whether, in order to minimise the danger of disease to livestock, he would be willing to consider similar legislation?
Mr. WOODThe answer to the first part is in the affirmative. Considerable difficulty attends the imposition of similar measures with regard to packing straw coming in to this country, as has been emphasised on more than one occasion by the Departmental Committees which have examined the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in this country in recent years, but I am at present considering what action is feasible which will not involve an undue interference with general trade.