424 Importation of Live Stock — Argentina, [oct., 



a country, quite irrespective of the maintenance of an efficient 

 veterinary organisation. In the former case diseased animals 

 were actually imported into this country, and it was only by 

 dint of good fortune and the most strenuous exertions that the 

 infection was kept within the limits of the Foreign Animals 

 Wharves. A similar result might well have happened in 1902 

 in the case of the United States, notwithstanding the ability 

 and the energy of the Department of Agriculture in that 

 country. 



The enormous losses which British agriculturists have suffered 

 during the last thirty years, mainly by reason of the increased 

 pressure of Colonial and foreign competition, make it more 

 than ever necessary that every possible precaution should be 

 taken against the introduction of disease, consistent with the 

 reasonable requirements of Colonial producers and the, interests 

 of consumers at home. The consequences of the recurrence in 

 Great Britain of epidemics of disease, such as have been ex- 

 perienced in the past, would now be disastrous, and consumers 

 as well as producers would be affected throughout the country. 

 It is therefore in the general interest that no risk should be 

 taken which can be avoided by the maintenance of a law which 

 provides a considerable measure of security against the intro- 

 duction of disease, and at the same time does so without any 

 serious stoppage of trade and without rendering it necessary 

 for any action of an invidious character to be taken in regard 

 to the cattle imported from a particular Colony or country. 



The Board have received through the Foreign Office a copy 

 and translation of a Decree, dated 1 8th August, 1905, permitting 

 under certain conditions vessels conveying 

 Importation Of y t ck t the Argentine Republic to 

 Live Stock.— „ , * : . . 1 r 



Argentina. ca ^ at P or ts whence the importation of live 



stock is prohibited. This decision is of 

 some importance to exporters of pedigree stock in the United 

 Kingdom, as the trade is at present chiefly carried on by 

 Liverpool steamers sailing direct. 



The Decree cancels the sub-head of Article 48 of the General 



