Swine Fever. 
441 
period would not be necessary where the premises are so constructed 
as to be capable of thorough cleansing and disinfection. 
Further Measures for the Extirpation of Swine Fever . — -In 
answer to the question as to whether any further measures could 
be taken for the extirpation of swine fever, there was a remarkable 
uniformity of opinion on the part of the witnesses. The invariable 
reply was to the effect that the work of exterminating the disease 
should be placed in the hands of a Central Authority responsible 
for the efficient execution of the Acts and Orders. 
They agreed that this Central Authority should have power to 
slaughter and pay the costs of the execution of the Acts and Orders, 
and should regulate movement and sales of swine, but that the 
existing machinery of the Local Authority should be taken advantage 
of as far as possible. 
It was also agreed on the part of nearly all the witnesses that the 
slaughter of diseased and in-contact swine would not be sufficient to 
get rid of the disease, and several witnesses were of opinion that, if 
the choice were to lie between the system of either slaughter or of 
restrictions on movement, the latter would prove more efficacious. 
The evidence was, however, to the effect that slaughter, combined 
with restrictions on movement and the employment of thorough 
cleansing and disinfection, constituted the means most likely to 
result in success. 
In reference to the restrictions on movement of swine, some 
evidence was given that the definition of very large areas was un- 
necessary and might be objectionable, owing to the interference 
with trade, and to the inconvenience which would result there- 
from, whilst on the other hand evidence was also given showing 
the unmistakeable advantage of large areas in the case of an out- 
break. 
Most of the witnesses were asked to give an opinion on the 
subject of licences, either of pig- keepers or dealers or both, and the 
evidence given was generally in favour of a system of licensing 
dealers, but it was considered that, having regard to the enormous 
numbers of owners of one or two pigs, it would be absolutely im- 
practicable to carry out a system of licensing or the registration of 
pig-keepers in general. 
Overwhelming evidence was given to the effect that by the 
adoption of proper measures swine fever could be extinguished in a 
reasonable time. It was also pointed out to the Committee that, 
although the cost of extinguishing the disease would be very con- 
siderable, at all events for the first year, the enormous loss which 
has resulted from the prevalence of swine fever for the last fourteen 
years, and the prospect of still further loss in the future, would 
justify considerable expenditure being incurred. 
The Appendix to the Report contains tables which give an 
estimate of the pig population in Great Britain and Ireland, 
the losses which have been incurred in consequence of the preval- 
ence of swine fever, and other matters of interest. 
VOL. IV. T. S. — 14 
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