The Empire's Farm Animals The meeting for tht first time
of an Imperial Veterinary Conference is an event of considerable interest. Animal husbandry is the most important side of farming over a large part of the British Empire. Mr. F. L. McDougall, who opened the conference, estimated that in the United Kingdom animal products represented about 70 per cent. of the value of products sold off farms, arid in Australia and South Africa the proportion- was nearly the same, while in New Zealand and Eire it approached So per cent. Moreover, as the report of the League of Nations Nutrition Committee has recorded, rising standards of living in the world imply less consumption of grain and sugar, and more of milk, dairy products, eggs, and meat, besides fruit and vegetables. To reduce animal disease means reducing cost of production. The importance of veterinary science has been grossly under-estimated in the past, as was shown by the low social and professional rank accorded to its practitioners. Things are now better in that respect, and better brains are going into the work in view of the better openings. The 6o eminent delegates and members, who have assembled from all over the Empire, have a very interesting agenda to discuss, including foot-and-mouth disease, virus diseases, fowl paralysis, and much else.
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