asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether the veterinary staff of the Department of Lands and Agriculture are satisfied that foot and mouth disease is not conveyed by imported feeding stuffs or by imported meat.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. WRITTEN ANSWERS. - FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE INFECTION.
Mr. HOGAN
It has for some time been generally recognised that imported meat may be the medium of introducing foot and mouth disease, and the Department have taken action accordingly. Under the Importation of Carcases Orders of 1926 and 1927 the importation of all meat and meat offals from the Continent of Europe is forbidden, with the exception of bacon or ham, which has undergone a prescribed process of curing; pigs' heads and feet which have been 14 days in brine or salt and are imported in disinfected barrels; salted hides, fell-mongered hair, and certain cooked or preserved meats. The question of extending this prohibition to meat from non-Continental countries is at present under consideration, as is also the question of regulating the importation of other commodities which may be the vehicle of disease. The importation of hay or straw and of fodder containing hay or straw is already prohibited. The inquiries at present proceeding extend to other imported feeding stuffs, but so far there appears to be no grounds for suspecting them.