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Foot and
mouth
disease.
In consequence of the serious outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the early
part of 1922, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in March, 1922, appointed
a Departmental Committee to inquire into the origin and circumstances of the
outbreak, and into the policy and procedure pursued in dealing with the disease,
and to report whether any alteration of the methods of administrative control
hitherto adopted, or any amendment of the existing law was necessary or desirable.
The Committee reported in December, 1922. From 24th January to 1st October,
1922, the number of outbreaks of the disease reached 1,125, it spread to 44 counties
in England, Scotland and Wales, and involved the slaughter of 23,606 cattle, 21,710
sheep, 9,540 pigs and 48 goats at a cost for compensation of £790,244. The report
also dealt with the introduction of infection, the means by which infection might
be spread, the initial outbreaks of the disease in January, 1922, the distribution
of the disease from the first infected place, the infection of markets in this country,
the causes of the development of the outbreak, the policy pursued in connection
therewith, the procedure adopted at infected places, the movement restrictions
imposed in connection with the disease, the general precautions adopted for preventing
its spread and the organisation and administration for dealing with outbreaks.
The comptroller of the Council placed before the Departmental Committee the
Council's view that the arrangements for meeting the cost of dealing with outbreaks
of animal diseases, whereby part of the cost incurred by the Government is charged
upon local authorities through the Local Taxation Account, were inequitable. It
was contended that, as the service is a national one and local authorities have no
control over the expenditure such expenditure should be borne by national funds.
The Departmental Committee agreed with this view. It is understood that their
recommendations are receiving the attention of the Minister of Agriculture and
Fisheries.
Outbreaks in
Essex and
Surrey.
In consequence of the existence of foot and mouth disease in Plaistow, Essex
and Morden, Surrey, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries made orders on
23rd April, 1923, and 26th October, 1923, respectively, prohibiting the movement
of animals within an area having a radius of about 15 miles from those places.
The areas in each case included the whole of London. Provision was made in the
orders for the movement of animals to a slaughterhouse in the prohibited area from
premises outside that area, for immediate slaughter, under licence from the local
authority of the area of destination. To ensure that this provision was complied
with, it was essential to follow up all animals imported into London to see that
slaughter was effected. The orders were subsequently revoked and modified orders
substituted therefor. Under the new orders London formed part of a controlled
area into and within which movement of animals was permitted under a licence
granted by an inspector of a local authority.
The new orders permitted the holding in the controlled area of a market for fat
animals intended for immediate slaughter provided it was licensed by the local
authority. In consequence of the outbreak, the Metropolitan Cattle Market at
Islington had been suspended and an application made by the City Corporation,
as the owners of the market, for authority to hold such a market as usual was acceded
to. All requisite steps were also taken to bring the terms of the orders to the notice
of persons concerned.
Outbreak in
London.
On 14th November, 1923, an outbreak occurred in London and 20 out of 94
pigs were found to be affected. As the owner had had no fresh stock on his premises
for a period of four months, the origin of the disease is obscure.
Animals in
Transit.
To ensure that the requirements of the Animals (Transit and General) Order,
1912, and the Exportation and Transit of Horses, etc., Order of 1921, are being
observed, and that the animals are free from signs of disease, the Council's inspectors
pay numerous visits to railway wharves, depots, etc., where animals in transit are
collected. The visits during 1923 numbered 2,164, the animals examined being—
horses 2,942, cattle 38,341, sheep 41,398, swine 6,653, making a total of 89,334.