[Report 1933] / Medical Officer of Health, Edinburgh City.

Edinburgh (Scotland). City Council.

Date:: 1933

Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1933] / Medical Officer of Health, Edinburgh City. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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the dipping of all sheep in the City during the period 15th July to 31st August, and lagain during the period 1st September to 30th November, have remained in force, i In terms of the Regulations, 19,140 sheep were dipped under supervision during the year. In last annual report it was stated that representations had been made to the ‘Ministry of Agriculture by the Association of County Councils in Scotland, the National ■Farmers’ Union of Scotland, and the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture, urging the ‘Ministry to exercise pressure on English local authorities to revoke their regulations requiring the double-dipping of sheep imported into England from Scotland. It was rpomted out that the disease position in Scotland did not justify the discrimination on the part of English local authorities against Scottish sheep and that the continuance nf the regulations seriously hampered trade. In a circular letter dated 27th March 11933, the Ministry stated that, as a result of the representation which they had made, a number of the English local authorities had agreed to revoke their regulations provided protective regulations were made against the reintroduction of disease into Scotland from other districts. In order to secure uniformity, the Ministry issued the Sheep [Movement into Scotland and Northumberland) Order of 1933, which became operative on 1st May, and required the double-dipping of all sheep (unless intended for immediate slaughter) moved into Scotland from England (with the exception of the County of Northumberland). The movement of sheep in the course of trade is mainly from North to South, trade and movement in the opposite direction is of only relatively small dimensions. Before the Order became operative, sheep scab had been introduced nto the counties of Renfrew and Stirling through the agency of sheep imported from :he North Riding of Yorkshire. As a result, the record of Scotland, so far as the main- ■ and is concerned, with 17 outbreaks of sheep scab in 1933, appears in a worse light ■than it has done for a number of years past. The disease still simmers in the Outer Hebrides with 20 outbreaks during the year, and the movement of sheep from these Hands to the mainland is subject to preventive control. It is noted with satisfaction hat, during the past twelve to eighteen months, the Ministry has concentrated active measures against sheep scab in those districts of England and Wales in which there :s a high incidence of sheep scab, in which it appears to be constantly present and from which infection escapes at frequent intervals by movement of sheep to establish new centres of disease in other districts. It is reasonable to expect that the concentrated ictivity of the Ministry will materially improve the position in respect of sheep scab, Te continued prevalence of which is a reflection on the management of flock owners m the areas involved. Swine Fever.—One report of suspected swine fever was received during the year. The premises were under restrictions for two months and repeated investigations were made, but the Ministry did not confirm the existence of swine fever. The carcases of 42 suspected animals which died or were slaughtered by the owner, were destroyed oy the Local Authority. Regulation of Movement of Swine Order.—Eleven pigs were moved in terms of this Order under licence from scheduled areas in England to various premises in ' fie City, subject to detention and isolation for twenty-seven days after arrival. Periodical visits were made to these premises with the double object of seeing that the conditions Jf the licence were fulfilled and to maintain observation on the health of the pigs.