38 CATTLE DISEASES 



urged to carry into effect the recommendations of the Depart- 

 mental Committee of 1888. They are further strongly of opinion 

 that compensation out of the Imperial Exchequer should be given 

 for apparently healthy animals, or the carcases of such, condemned 

 in the interests of the public." 



On 5th November the Council expressed their satisfaction 

 that the new President of the Board,* like the first holder of 

 the office, was a member of the Cabinet. They reiterated 

 their view 



" That no real security can be felt by British stockowners 

 against the re-introduction of Contagious Diseases so long as the 

 Board were compelled to admit animals from certain countries. 

 They consider that no such responsibility should be thrown upon 

 a Government Department, but that the Legislature should, 

 definitely and once for all, lay down the only sound and safe 

 principle, namely, that all cattle, sheep, goats and pigs sent to 

 this country shall, except under very special conditions, be 

 slaughtered either .before shipment or at the port of debarkation." 



At the same meeting they expressed concern at the apparent 

 failure to stamp out Swine Fever, as after two years' work 

 the number of outbreaks showed a marked increase. 



"It is impossible to overlook the fact that the failure of the 

 Agricultural Department for the first time to deal effectively 

 with a contagious malady, after receiving full executive powers 

 for its suppression, has coincided with internal changes in the 

 organisation of the Department. The alterations which have 

 been made, and which have aroused the natural resentment of 

 the veterinary profession, have not been justified by results. "f 



On the llth December one of the most influential depu- 

 tations ever arranged by the Chamber waited on the Presi- 

 dent of the Board to urge him to give effect to their resolu- 

 tion of 5th November in connection with importing live 

 animals. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr. 

 A. F. Jeffreys, M.P. (President of the Chamber), received a 

 very sympathetic reply from Mr. Long. 



1896. 



The Government introduced their Bill on 20th April giving 

 effect to the wishes of the Chamber. It was opposed at 



* A General Election took place in July and Mr. Walter Long was 

 appointed President of the Board of Agriculture by Lord Salisbury. 

 f Report of Cattle Diseases Committee, 4th November, 1895. 



