FINAL ACT OF SECOND PAN AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS. 75 



(g) Members of the live-stock sanitary service of each of the Ameri- 

 can Republics should meet at regular intervals to consult 

 and inform each other regarding the measures taken for fur- 

 thering cooperation in protecting the live-stock industry of 

 the American countries. 



In adopting this resolution the Congress made official for Pan America 

 the essentials of the recommendations of the convention at Montevideo, 

 held in 1912, on the subject of "Live Stock Sanitary Police." By this 

 action the Governments participating in the Second Pan American Sci- 

 entific Congress are furnished a basis upon which to develop a competent 

 and effective live-stock sanitary service. A somewhat detailed discus- 

 sion of the provisions of this resolution seems warranted, in view of the 

 fact that animal industry is probably the leading branch of agriculture 

 in the Western Hemisphere. The importance of the animal industry to 

 the maintenance of the fertility of the soil necessitates its recognition as 

 of fundamental importance in agriculture. The importance of animal 

 products in the food supply of the world necessitates the presence of 

 animal industry for the public welfare. Every effort should, therefore, 

 be put forth to conserve this great industry in every possible way, and 

 to control and, if possible, to eradicate the diseases which threaten it. 



In considering the development of a live-stock sanitary service it must 

 be clearly recognized that such a service is for the purpose of protecting, 

 conserving, and advancing the animal industry in every legitimate way. 

 It has not yet appeared possible properly to protect this industry from the 

 spread of devastating diseases except by means of governmental action. 

 The powers of government, however, must be used with careful considera- 

 tion of the industry itself. It is essential that the laws establishing a 

 live-stock sanitary service and the regulations promulgated under the 

 authority of these laws be framed in such a way that the animal industry 

 of the entire Nation is advanced by their use. It may frequently occur 

 that one section of a country is compelled to subject itself to inconvenience 

 and even loss in order that the industry of the entire country. may be 

 protected. No development of this kind should be considered, however, 

 which will enable a favored section or a favored group of individuals to 

 profit by means of laws or regulations which are improperly drawn or 

 unfairly enforced. 



Topic (a) of the resolution is a skeleton outline for a competent live- 

 stock sanitary service. Executive officers are, of course, necessary in 

 order to administer the work, no matter how small the country may be; 



