HOME LAMB OUTPUT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29760, 1 March 1962, Page 12

HOME LAMB OUTPUT

Comparison Of Increases

< N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 28Britain could not abandon her home producers, said Mr 3. Eaton, agricultural adviser to the British High Commissioner, speaking at an export pre-cut lamb competition today.

This was a permanent feature of the supply pattern, he said. Mr Eaton said that when the High Commissioner (Sir Francis Cumming-Bruce) spoke in Christchurch last week about the over-supply of meat on the British market, he fully acknowledged the increased level of home production and accepted that this played a significant role in present market conditions.

Britain’s sheep flock had been increasing steadily, but from numbers which were decimated by severe winters immediately after the war, said Mr Eaton. The pre-war level was not passed until 1959.

Home output in 1961 was 25 per cent, above pre-war level. On the same comparison, combined mutton and lamb imports from New Zealand were 59 per cent. up. Lamb, taken separately, was 91 per cent. up. “If we look at the mutton and lamb market since the. end of bulk purchase in 1954, British production in 1961 had increased by 23 per cent- and New Zealand supplies by 21 per cent.,” said Mr Eaton.