Notes. 99 



directing' the policy of Government assistance and control in connec- 

 tion with animal diseases, and we trust that the worth of the system 

 will be demonstrated in no uncertain manner as a result of the 

 coming' trial. 



Importation of Cattle from Great Britain. 



In the May, 1920, number (page 159) we outlined the events 

 which led to the issue of Government ]^otice Xo. 1140 of the 27tli 

 Auo'iist, 1919, making" it compulsory for all cattle from Great Britain 

 arriving' at the l^nion ports to pass through the Government testing 

 station at Pirbright, Surrey. We referred also to the causes leading 

 to a measure of congestion at Pirbright, and stated that the Depart- 

 ment had been approached in the matter by Sir Henry Dundas, a 

 member of the Council of the Highland and Agricultural Society, 

 Scotland, who, on pointing out that difficulties were being experienced 

 by Scottish breeders in sending cattle to Pirbright, was informed that 

 the Union Government was agreeable to such cattle being tested in 

 Scotland provided a station was established there under Government 

 control similar to the one at Pirbright, but that under no circum- 

 stances would it be satisfied with tests carried out on the premises of 

 the breeder. 



Since the above was written negotiations in the matter have been 

 proceeding, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries being prepared 

 to approve of the establishment in Scotland of a testing station, and 

 having, indeed, instituted inquiries with a view to the acquisition of 

 a suitable site in that country for the station. We are now informed, 

 however, that the proposal has been abandoned by the Ministry owing 

 to the action of the Scottish live stock breeders, who requested the 

 Ministry not to establisli such a station in Scotland as they were not 

 in agreement with the principle of requiring animals intended for 

 exportation to pass through a Government testing station. 



The reasons which actuate this Government in insisting on the 

 testing of animals for tuberculosis prior to export to South Africa 

 still hold good. The measure is one calculated to protect importers 

 from the loss sustiuned by them under the old method when cattle 

 from Great Britain were allowed to be tested at the Union ports of 

 entry. This country is still prepared, of course, to accept cattle 

 passed through a duly approved Government testing station in Scot- 

 land or the north of England, or anywhere else, but in view of the 

 failure at present to establish one additional to Pirbright it is 

 necessary to make tlie best of the latter station. In this connection 

 a discussion took place at the last meeting of the Agricultural 

 Advisory Board on the subject of accommodation at Pirbright, when 

 it was stated that congestion took place because of the habit of 

 importers wanting their animals passed through ixt the same time. 

 Importers are urged, therefore, to assist in remedying this difficulty, 

 as it lies largely in their hands. The Ministry of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries, however, in advising the failure of its negotiations 

 respecting the station in the north of Great Britain, says that it is 

 endeavouring to relieve the existing pressure on the Pirbright testing 

 station by the provision of additional accommodation there. With 

 such accommodation and the co-operation of importers in the Union it 

 is trusted that the inconveniences now being complained of will be 

 reduced to a minimum. 



