Ill 



pretty well aware of what diseases are prevalent in any of the 

 countries with which we are likely to deal; and I may say at 

 once, Sir, that I think the prevention of the importation of 

 plants complete prevention or prohibition is obsolescent. We 

 have come to that stage now that we must receive plants from 

 certain places, and must adopt such measures as will enable 

 us to introduce them with safety. Some of these measures 

 have been set forth by Mr. Rogers in his paper, for instance, 

 a certificate of freedom from disease from a competent 

 authority. That is essential. Fumigation in the country of 

 origin is a thing upon which I would not rely. It all depends 

 upon how it is done, and it is not successful in all cases even 

 where it is thoroughly done. Inspection at the country of 

 import is also absolutely necessary, and fumigation there is 

 necessary in certain cases. These are the measures that will 

 have to be adopted, and I think, Sir, that as we progress ir 

 our knowledge of the methods of introduction of plants we 

 are really in a state of evolution in regard to our knowledge of 

 these plant diseases our planters and our Governments will 

 insist upon the importation of plants only from those countries 

 in which a certificate from a competent authority <:an be 

 obtained. I think that will be the commercial ending of the 

 question. 



Professor Dr. WARBURG (Germany) : Mr. Chairman and 

 Gentlemen I think this question is one of the most important 

 with which we have to deal here, because the difficulty of get- 

 ting rid of diseases-;, and the prevention of the introduction of 

 fresh ones, is nmv very important for all tropical countries 

 and colonies. Bin I think the matter is one upon which we 

 cannot come to any definite conclusion here. We have heard 

 already of some difficulties which are raised by certain of the 

 proposals of the Rome Convention, and I believe that our 

 tropical interests are so very great that we must form our own 

 conclusions, and that will only be possible, I think, by appoint- 

 ing a Committee to consider the question. We have no idea 

 which diseases have to be excluded, and even if the interchange 

 of communications between the different countries and the 

 different stations is now very frequent, it is impossible, from 

 the literature alone, to determine what is really necessary. And 

 so I believe we must appoint an International Committee to 

 prepare a report for the next Congress a Committee consist- 

 ing partly of phytopathological experts of the different nations, 

 and' partly of administrators who know what is possible in the 

 different countries. Only if this is done can we propose any 

 regulations to the General Committee, or to the Institute at 

 Rome. It is impossible now, I believe, to take here any 

 certain steps without ^oing thoroughly into the matter, so I 

 shall propose such a Committee for working out the question. 



