asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that Canadian hay is being imported into the Saorstát; and, if so, if in view of the fact that hay is notoriously a carrier of the germs of cattle diseases, and especially of foot and mouth disease, he will issue an order prohibiting its import, especially from a country in which diseases of farm stock are frequently rife.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - IMPORTATION OF CANADIAN HAY.
The answer to the first portion of the question is in the affirmative. The Department of Agriculture have, in effect, prohibited the landing in the Saorstát of hay or straw from every country in regard to which there is reason to suspect the existence of cattle disease, or reason to doubt that the laws for preventing the introduction or spread of disease are not effectively administered. Canada does not come within that category. The whole position continues to be carefully watched, but at present I see no reason for taking the action in regard to Canada suggested by the Deputy.