§ Mr. Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider introducing compensation for the loss of pigs from swine fever.
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Mr. T. WilliamsNo. The principle embodied in the Diseases of Animals Act is that compensation is payable only in respect of animals slaughtered by order of the Minister; and I do not consider that it would be desirable to alter this policy. It is not the practice to order the slaughter of animals affected, or suspected to be affected with swine fever since it has been found by experience that a slaughter policy is not effective in eradicating this disease. Consequently compensation is not generally payable. A small number of pigs are, however, slaughtered by my veterinary officers for diagnostic purposes and for these compensation is paid on the basis laid down in the Act.