The restrictions on the importation of cattle from abroad, on
the policy of which we have commented elsewhere, have already produced, it appears, something like a strike of the foreign importers of sheep and cattle. The regulation of the Council Office, that if one diseased animal be found on board a ship all the others coming with it must be at once slaughtered, has at last proved too much for the patience of the foreign cattle trade. On Sunday, the Leo,' a Dutch vessel, brought a cargo of 700 or 800 sheep from Rotterdam, which the inspectors ascertained to be all sound except one that was pronounced to be infected with the foot-and-mouth disease. On Wednesday, therefore, the whole flock was ordered to be killed. On the previous day another vessel, the 'Florence,' also brought 1,500 Dutch sheep from Rotterdam, and in this case also, although it is alleged there was but one instance of slight disease discovered on board, the whole cargo was con- demned. It maybe hoped that the Duke of Richmond will bearthese facts in mind when, as he promised the importers last week, he lays the matter before the Cabinet for consideration. Meantime, before the next Cabinet Council, the foreign meat supply may be stopped for three months or more.
