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premises direct to a slaughterhouse. In all other cases detailed records have to
be kept and retained for a period of three years in the case of bovine animals
and one year in the case of sheep, goats and pigs. These records are very useful
when dealing with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth or other infectious diseases.
All stockholders' premises were visited during the year to ensure that the
proper records were being kept.
Diseases of Animals (Waste Foods) Order, 1957
During the year the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food drew
attention to the fact that there was increasing evidence that outbreaks of
foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever and fowl pest were being caused by animals
and poultry being allowed access, either to raw waste foodstuffs or to waste
which had not been properly boiled in accordance with the Order. The Order
prohibits the feeding of unboiled waste food to certain animals and poultry and
requires that all such food shall be boiled for at least one hour in plant
licensed by the Local Authority.
Ten licences have been granted to pig-keepers to operate plant under the
order and inspections were accordingly made from time to time to ensure that
the licence conditions were being complied with. No infringements were noted.
Inspections can, however, only be infrequent and one wonders whether in view
of the vast sums spent on compensation for animals slaughtered in foot-and-mouth
disease outbreaks, and poultry in fowl pest outbreaks, the time has not arrived
for legislation to require swill and waste food to be collected and treated
at central processing plants and delivered to the stockholders' premises only
after processing.
During the year, two licences were revoked, the businesses having closed
down, and one licence was transferred to a new owner.
Importation of Dogs and Cats Order, 1928
There is an establishment at Mill Hill licensed by the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and used for the detention and isolation of
imported dogs undergoing quarantine.
The establishment is run by veterinary surgeons and is licensed for the
detention of 35 dogs at any one time.
During the year, 74 dogs were received at the premises after being authorised
to land in this country.
The dogs are kept strictly isolated from all other dogs during the six
months period of quarantine.
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