The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-07-14 00:00:00

THE IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN CATTLE.

Mr. Chaplin called attention to the continued importation
into England of foreign live animals suffering from con-
tagious disease, and to the consequent prevalence of foot-
and-mouth disease in various parts of the United
Kingdom. The remedy which he suggested, and which
he embodied in a resolution, was that the Privy
Council, while imposing adequate restrictions on the
movements of cattle at home, should prohibit the introduc-
tion of animals from countries where satisfactory regula-
tions for the prevention and exportation of disease are not
in force. Dealing with the objections to his iroposal, he
denied that any outbreak of disease had occurred when this
system had been in force, and as to the argument that it
would increase the price of meat, he showed that the supply
affected by the motion was not more than 4 per cent.
of the meat consumption of the country. The last outbreak
of the disease was to be traced to animals landed at Deptford
in the end of 1881, and the only way to deal with ill was to
stamp it out, as experience showed it could be stamped out
If Koper measures were adopted. The existing law was
sufficient for the purpose, but farmers could not be expected
to submit to harsh and injurious restrictions unless they had
perfect security that the disease would not be reintroduced
from abroad. For a cheap supply of meat the country must
trust to home breeding and to a development of the dead
meat supply, and that the policy he recommended was for
the interest as much of the consumer as of the producer.
Colonel Kingscote having seconded the motion, Mr.
Arnold submitted an amendment, which, while calling for
the vigilant exercise by the Government of the powers
entrusted to it with reference both to the movements of live
animals at home and to their importation from abroad, de-
clared further legislation on the subject to be unnecessary.
-

This was seconded by Mr. Giles; but Mr. Barclay ob•
fected to both motion and amendment, and suggested the
appointment of a Select Committee, which should inquire
whether it is possible to take further steps for preventing
the introduction of contagious diseases from abroad without
unduly interfering with the supply of food.
Mr Mundella urged that the Act of 1878 had worked well
and that if given a fair trial it would accomplish the purpose
for which it was passed. Under its operation pleuro-
pneumonia had already diminished by 76 per cent., there
had not been a single case of rinderpest or sheep-pox, and
foot-and-mouth disease had been largely reduced. Some
amendment of the provisions might be advisable, but he
took exception to the motion before the House, because it
was aimed at the main principle of the Act, and meant
nothing short of the total prohibition of the imports of live
cattle.

The discussion was continued by Mr. J. Howard, Sir H
Selwyn-Ibbetson, and Mr. Dodson, who expressed the
willingness of the Government to agree to a committee of
inquiry.
After some remarks from Mr. Duckharo, and a reply from
Mr. Chaplin, Mr. Arnold withdrew his amendment, and Mr.
Barclay proposed another amendment, that a Select Com-
mittee be appointed to inquire into the operation of the
Acts of 1869 and 1878.
The House then divided, and Mr. Chaplin's resolution was
carried against the Government by a majority of 8-200
to 192.

The other bminess was disposed of, and the House ad-
journed at five minutes to two o'clock.

In the HousE OF Comm°Ns, July 11, Mr. Chaplain gave
notice that on Monday he would ask the Prime Minister
what steps her 3,lajesty's Government intend to take to give
effect to Tuesday night's Resolution of the House of Com-
mons with respect to the importation of foreign cattle
disease.