1()() Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



completed war broke out, and slii])])i)io- difficulties rendered 

 its use impracticable, consequently the old arrangement of 

 testing cattle on arrival at tlie T^nion seaports bad to be 

 continued. Tbis was the position until towards tlie latter balf 

 of 1919, wlien circumstances permitted the station reverting to its 

 oidginal purpose. Consequently Government Notice No. 1140 of the 

 2Ttb August last was issued making it compulsory for all cattle from 

 (ireat Britain arriving at the TTnion ports on or after the 1st Novem- 

 lier, 1919, to pass througli Pirbriglit and be subject to the provisions 

 of the Act (No. 25 of 1916) referred to above. It may here be 

 mentioned that while the TTnion Government has the right to retest 

 any animal which, on arrival from Great Britain, presents symptoms 

 or appearances suspicious of tui)erculosis, or any other proclaimed 

 disease, and to destroy it if the animal gives a positive reaction, it is 

 not expected that the need for detention or retest is likely to arise 

 in many instances after animals have passed through Pirbriglit. 



Accumulation of Stock Awaiting Shipment. 



As is well known, the close of the war found a great shortage in 

 fi'eightage and large numbers of cattle intended for export were accu- 

 mulated in Great Britain awaiting shipment, while a gradual improve- 

 ment in shipping facilities lead to increased puichases of cattle for 

 South Africa. The result was, as was to be expected, that the accom- 

 modation at Pirbriglit (sufficient for 100 head of cattle) was strained 

 to its utmost, and congestion arose causing some delay in treating all 

 the animals awaiting the required quarantine and testing prior to 

 shipment. It is anticipated, however, that Avhen the first rush is over 

 and the export of cattle becomes normal and shipping is more regular, 

 the accommodation at Pirbriglit will prove to be ample, and that 

 exporters will no longer have the difficulty or delay which was 

 experienced at the outset. Tliere is, of course, no objection to the 

 provision of other Government testing stations, similar to Pirbright, 

 should the export of pure-bred stock assume such proportions as to 

 justify it. In this connection the Department has already been 

 approached by Sir Henry Dundas, a member of the Council of the 

 Highland and Agricultural Society, Scotland, who pointed out some 

 of the difficulties which will be experienced by Scottish breeders in 

 sending cattle to Pirbright. Sir Henry was advised that such cattle 

 might be tested in Scotland, provided a station were established there, 

 under Government control similar to the one at Pirbright, but that 

 under no circumstances will the Government of South Africa be satis- 

 fied with tests carried out on the premises of the breeder. 



Importers are naturally anxious for the well-being of their stock 

 at Pirbright; tliere is no need to fear on that account, as cattle are 

 well cared for at the station. A short paragraph appeared in the 

 April, 1920, number of the Journal giving the result of a visit to 

 Pirbright by a prominent exporter of stock, whose remarks form an 

 unsolicited testimonial to the excellent conditions prevailing there, 

 and coming from one whose interests are largely centred in the busi- 

 ness, should in itself bring reassurance to importers in tlie Union. 



It has come to the notice of this Department that certain 

 importers, whose animals are accompanied by Pirlpright certificates, 

 are not appointing agents to receive these animals on arrival at the 



