360 Report of Sheep-Dipping Committee, [sept., 



method of eradicating sheep-scab, whilst its effect generally upon 

 the sheep of the country will be entirely beneficial. 



To attain universal dipping two policies were put before the 

 Committee, one by regulations of the central or local authority, 

 the other by placing the entire responsibility upon the flock- 

 owner, and by punishing with ever-increasing penalties every 

 owner for having scab upon his premises, and for failing to 

 cure it. This latter policy, undoubtedly, proved very effectual 

 in the Colonies, especially in New Zealand ; but it would involve 

 new legislation, it would be difficult to adapt to the varying con- 

 ditions of sheep-farming in this country, and it would in our 

 opinion be too drastic a measure to commend itself to flock- 

 owners generally at the present time. The Committee have 

 therefore adopted the alternative policy of regulation, and they 

 suggest the lines upon which such regulations may be framed. 



The Committee also suggest that the Board of Agriculture 

 and Fisheries should establish a schedule of dips recognised as 

 efficient. Makers of proprietary dips who desired to have their 

 preparations placed in this schedule, or users of home-made dips 

 who wished to ascertain whether their compounds would be 

 approved, would then be required to submit samples for 

 examination, for which examination a fee would be charged ; 

 and, if satisfactory, the dips would be scheduled as such. To 

 ensure that the dips actually used are not inferior to the samples 

 approved, it should be competent for the inspector to take 

 occasional samples of the dips in use and forward them to 

 the Board of Agriculture for comparison with those originally 

 submitted. 



The Report is signed by all the members of the Committee 

 except Sir H. H. Scott, who disagrees w r ith the suggestions as 

 to the steps to be taken to eradicate sheep-scab, and who submits 

 an alternative scheme for compulsory dipping. Mr. M. Hedley, 

 F.R.C.V.S., also dissociates himself from the recommendations 

 in regard to compulsory dipping of all sheep, and thinks that the 

 dipping should be limited to areas where sheep-scab is suspected 

 or known to exist. 



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