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DISEASE OF ANIMALS ACTS
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE
No outbreaks of this disease occurred in the Country during the year — the first time for several
years.
SWINE FEVER
The Swine Fever Order, 1963, which came into operation on the 11th March, 1963, introduced a
new policy for dealing with outbreaks of swine fever in an endeavour to eradicate this disease in Britain.
Not only all pigs affected with the disease but also all those on the premises which have been in
contact are now to be slaughtered and their carcases cremated or buried. Compensation is paid at full
value for pigs slaughtered which show no signs of swine fever and at half value for pigs which are diseased
at the time of slaughter.
New restrictions were also introduced on the movement of animals, foodstuffs, equipment, etc.
Infected premises must also remain unstocked for a period of not less than fourteen days after cleansing
and disinfection.
A suspected outbreak occurred at the piggeries at the Refuse Disposal Works and the Piggeries
were placed in quarantine. The affected animals were, however, later diagnosed by the Veterinary Officer
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods to be suffering from "diamonds" (nettlerash).
An outbreak of swine fever occurred in another part of Middlesex as a result of which movement
restrictions were imposed throughout the whole of the County from 23rd March to 7th June, 1963.
FOWL PEST
As from 1st April. 1963 the Fowl Pest (Amendment) Order, 1963 came into operation. This put an
end to the policy which hitherto had been practised of slaughtering compulsorily all poultry at premises at
which the disease occurred. In future, the premises will be placed under restriction and this restriction may
also be extended to neighbouring flocks particularly if the poultry have not been vaccinated against the
disease.
Vaccine at subsidised prices has been available to poultry keepers from the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food since November, 1962 and it is now, more than ever, necessary for them to take full
advantage of the scheme.
No cases or suspected cases of the disease occurred in the Borough during the year nor was it necessary
for any restriction on movement to be imposed.
THE MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS (RECORDS) ORDERS, 1960 & 1961
Detailed records have to be kept by stockholders of the movement of bovines, sheep, goats and pigs
to and from their premises.
These records are necessary so that in the event of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and other infectious
diseases investigations can be made at the premises from which any animals have recently been
received. Animals which have left the premises can also be traced and kept under observation.
All stockholders were visited during the year to ensure that the proper records were being kept
The records showed that the following stock was held in the Borougn:—
Pigs Bovines
505 364
One pig club closed down during the year.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS (WASTE FOOD) ORDER, 1957
Once again during the year the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food drew attention to the
need for the proper handling of waste foods and swill to minimise the risk of spread of animal diseases.
Although the country had been free from foot-and-mouth disease for some months the prevalence of swine
fever and fowl pest continued to cause serious concern. Numbers of outbreaks of these diseases had been
caused by the animals or poultry gaining access either to raw foodstuffs or to the waste which had not been
properly boiled.
The Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order, 1957 prohibits the feeding of unboiled waste food to
farm 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 were originally issued under the Order but only five plants now remain in use. These
are all visited by the Public Health Inspectors from time to time to ensure that the licence conditions are
being complied with.
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