1920.] 



The Keeping of Small Live Stock. 



711 



Where live stock is kept, it is of course essential that loc4l 

 sanitary requirements shall be observed. When cultivators 

 fulfil these requirements, which should be ascertained in cases 

 of doubt by application to the Local Sanitary Authority, no 

 objection can be taken to their pursuits on the grounds of 

 hygiene. 



Recently, however, a question has arisen in connection with 

 the keeping of live stock by private persons which calls for 

 some clearer public information. It would appear from a 

 number of letters received by the Ministry, that cases occur in 

 which landlords do not view favourably the maintenance of 

 small live stock by their tenants. Provided, however, that the 

 stock can be kept under suitable sanitary conditions and with- 

 out danger to public health or interference with the amenities 

 of the district, proprietors can hardly have sufficient reason for 

 objection in view of the present needs of the country. 



The question is admittedly delicate, and as investigation into 

 particular cases is entirely a matter for the Local Authorities 

 and landlords concerned, the Ministry does not consider that 

 the matter calls for any official intervention on its part. It 

 desires, however, to clear away any possible misunderstanding 

 that may stand in the way of increased production of food 

 supplies. Recognising the importance of private effort in this 

 direction, the Llinistry would remind owners of property of 

 the importance of increasing the supplies of home-grown food, 

 and desires to point out that the keeping of live stock not only 

 replenishes the national larder and reduces imports, but is a 

 great preventive of waste, as the stock converts much kitchen 

 and garden refuse into valuable human food. It is therefore 

 hoped that where tenants of houses and allotments maintain 

 or are prepared to maintain poultry and small live stock under 

 sanitary conditions, the owners of such property will give their 

 tenants every reasonable opportunity of doing so. Tenants on 

 their part are advised urgently to take all proper care to keep 

 their stock in sanitary condition, and to do nothing to warrant 

 any restrictive action on the part either of their landlord or the 

 local Health Authorities. The Ministry seeks to afford poultry 

 keepers and small live stock breeders all possible support and 

 encouragement. 



Wide publicity is being given to its wishes in this matter, 

 and the i\Iinistry, in putting the case before Local xluthoritieS 

 and property owners, asks that they will not definitely prohibit 

 the keeping of pigs, poultry and rabbits, but will permit it 



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