BRITISH MEAT MARKETING

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27169, 13 October 1953, Page 9

BRITISH MEAT MARKETING

DISCUSSIONS WITH FARMERS (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, October 12. The National Farmers’ Union has announced that Cabinet Ministers associated with agriculture have agreed to meet leaders of the British farmers’ unions early this week to discuss the future of British agriculture. The meeting is being held in response to farmers’ requests for clarification of the Government’s intentions. The “Daily Telegraph’s” agricultural correspondent says one of the most pressing problems for discussion is the future marketing of livestock. “Meat will come off the ration some time next year, and though the National Farmers’ Union has suggested a producer marketing board which would grade and sell ‘on the hook,’ this has not been accepted by the butchers,” the correspondent says. “They have put forward their own deficiency payments scheme. “It is obvious that an interim scheme will have to be arranged to market meat while a permanent scheme is being devised. Farmers will be deeply disappointed if the G vernment decides on a temporary deficiency payment scheme. They will probably seek at least to get pigs excluded and marketed in accordance with their own views. ‘ ‘The farmers will stand by a system of marketing boards for the permanent arrangements. The farmers may ask the Government to set up an independent committee of inquiry to watch and report on the working of the interim schemes.” .