U.S. DAIRY IMPORTS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26528, 17 September 1951, Page 7

U.S. DAIRY IMPORTS

Farmers Oppose

Restrictions

(Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 15. The National Farmers’ Union, through its legislative secretary (Mr John Baker) said to-day that the restrictions on dairy imports into the United States would have far-reach-ing and adverse effects upon the American agricultural community as well as upon the over-all national interests of the United States.

Mr Baker, who was appearing before the Senate Banking of Currency Sub-committee, said the restrictions were not only unwise but unneceesary, as the existing laws gave the American farmer ample protection against any unfair competition frorfi abroad. Mr Baker said there was a considerable likelihood that the restrictions would stimulate other countries to impose counter restrictions on a much larger volume of agricultural eroducts received by them from the r nited States.

The union considered the restrictions were contrary to the policy of the United States of encouraging the greatest possible inter-change of goods among friendly nations to build up the economic, the political and military strength of the free world.

The head of the American Farm Bureau Federation (Mr Allan B. Kline) supported the arguments of the Farmers’ Union. t He said the United States wag exporting two and a half times as much agricultural products as it imported. The restrictions would damage the two-way trade. Arguing for the retention of the restrictions, the National Milk Producers’ Association, which inspired the law, claimed that if it were repealed serious harm would result to the American dairy industry. The association’s representative said it was questionable whether American dairy farmers could maintain a reasonable standard of living and at the same time compete with foreign agricultural imports produced at a low cost in countries having lower standards of living. He said butter was available in such places as Denmark, the Argentine, Australia and New Zealand, which would be landed in the United States for sale at prices below that of domestic butter. Effect en Cheese Production

The National Cheese Institute, representing producers, manufacturers and distributors of American cheese, claimed that imports of foreign cheese were increasing and would interfere with orderly domestic storing and marketing. The institute’s executive secretary said imported cheese prices had been such as to drive the United States manufacturers out of business. The “New York Times” in a leading article said the law curtailing the imports of foreign dairy products was arbitrary and cynical and should be repealed. The newspaper said the measure was an example of congressional subservience to pressure groups under the cover of the irrelevant mantle of national defence.

Seven countries, including New Zealand, had registered a protest. •'Unless we destroy our faith in the sincerity of American efforts to liberalise International trade, Congress ought to repeal this arbitrary and cynical measure,” the newspaper said.