BRITISH BUTTER SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26523, 11 September 1951, Page 7

BRITISH BUTTER SUPPLIES

LOWER IMPORTS; FALL IN PRODUCTION

(Special Gotretyonaent

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, September 10. 'rhe reduction of the British butter ration from 4oz to 3oz this week, officially announced as a temporary measure, is understood to be the result of a reduction m stocks. fills has been caused mainly by the fail in home-produced butter, by the decline in Australian imports, which has peen mote severe than expected, and by the delay in shipments from New Zealand because of the waterfront strike. The fall in home-produced butter is emphasised by the shortage of milk, which has lea Mr Maurice Webb, the Minister of Food, to request the people to use less. This shortage is due m part to lower production as a result of bad weather, and also increased consumption, stated by the Ministry to be 5 pet cent. It is hoped that as there is often a temporary scarcity of milk at this time of the year, the position will improve next month. In addition to Britain receiving reduced butter supplies from the Dominions, imports from Denmark have eased Off at their pre-war level. Whether the Danes will be able to increase their supplies above that level is causing some speculation. Butter production in Europe is said to be increasing steadily, a fact which is emphasised in reports from Copenhagen discussing the British-Danish price talks to be held this month. These reports say that the talks will take place against a background of increasing difficulty for Denmark in disposing of her butter to other markets than the United Kingdom. The Danes have been disappointed in orders from Western Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States while Holland nas beeh underbidding her on several minor markets. This suggests that the Danes may COme to some agreement with the United Kingdom in the talks to increase her exports. Another inference to be taken from the general situation is that New Zealand, which is now seeking to sell 15 per cent, of her dairy produce outside the United Kingdom, may meet with similar difficulties.