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178
Foot and
month
disease.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, on 8th February, 1921, appointed a
Departmental Committee to consider the outbreak of foot and mouth disease which
occurred in 1923-1924. In their report, dated 2nd February, 1925, the Departmental
Committee "regret that many of the recommendations put forward by
the 1922 Committee, on which four members of the present Committee served,
appear to have received little attention," and they state that "while we cannot
claim that their adoption would have prevented the outbreak of 1923, we do
feel that its effects would have been materially curtailed."
The only important matter arising out of the report, so far as the Council is
concerned, beyond the recommendations relating to the policy to be adopted in
connection with outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, is that of finance. At the
present time contributions towards the expenses of defraying the expenditure in
connection with this disease are made from the Local Taxation accounts. The sum
expended by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries from 31st March, 1921, to
31st March, 1924, amounted to approximately £4,000,000. Towards this sum the
Local Taxation accounts have contributed about £1,200,000.
As a result of representations by the Departmental Committee on Foot and
Mouth Disease that provision should be made for the automatic imposition of " standstill"
restrictions in any case in which a veterinary inspector of a local authority
is of opinion that foot and mouth disease exists or that there are reasonable grounds
for suspecting its existence, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries made an Order
entitled the Foot and Mouth Disease (Emergency Restrictions) Order of 1925, which
came into operation on 11th February, 1925. The diagnosis of foot and mouth
disease rests with the Minister of Agriculture, and the principal object of the new
Order was to prevent all movement out of an area having a five-mile radius from
the premises concerned even when foot and mouth disease is only suspected by
an inspector of the local authority to exist. In such cases a veterinary inspector is
required to issue a certificate and send it to the Minister and also to notify the local
authority, the police and the railway authorities. Heavy penalties are provided
in the case of unlawful movement. The restrictions imposed by the Order operate
for two clear days unless withdrawn or extended by an inspector of the Ministry,
Suspected cases of disease rarely occur in London, but instructions have been given
for the provisions of the new Order to be made known as and when occasion arises.
Further, as the result of recommendations of the Departmental Committee
on Foot and Mouth Disease, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries issued an
Order, which came into operation on 19th November, 1925, entitled the Foot and
Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Order of 1925. The object of the Order was to
prevent the spread of disease by hay, straw, etc., used as packing materials. The
necessary steps were taken to bring the provisions of the Order to the notice of
persons concerned.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries addressed a circular letter dated
29th October, 1925, to local authorities under the Diseases of Animals Acts, emphasising
the need for veterinary inspection of all animals exposed in markets and
asking for particulars of the steps taken to secure such inspection. The only
cattle market in the County of London is the Metropolitan Cattle Market, Islington,
which is owned by the City Corporation and is under the supervision of a veterinary
surgeon, appointed and paid by that body. This officer has also been appointed
by the Council, without salary, to act as a veterinary inspector under the Diseases
of Animals Acts for the market area. Animals are brought to the market by road,
rail and float, and on arrival are subjected to a strict veterinary examination. There
are subsequent examinations before sale or removal.
Precautions are also taken to ensure the strict observance of the Council's
regulations as to the disinfection and cleansing of vehicles used for the conveyance
of animals and to secure the disinfection of lairages, markets and slaughterhouses.