IMPORTATION OF GOODS PACKED IN STRAW.

HL Deb 01 August 1935 vol 98 cc1082-4WA

LORD STRACHIE

asked His Majesty's Government if any regulation has been made prohibiting importation of goods packed in straw?

EARL DE LA WARR

The answer is in the negative. The question of prohibiting the importation of hay and straw as packing material was considered by the Departmental Committee who enquired into the extensive outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in 1923; the Committee came to the conclusion that such a prohibition could not be justified. Since then, the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Orders of 1925 and 1926 have prohibited hay and straw from any source which has been used for packing purposes being brought into contact with animals or being removed from any premises except for further use as packing or for the purpose of destruction. These Orders are in general actively enforced by local authorities, and it does not appear to the Minister that any further action in regard to hay and straw from abroad can usefully be taken.