Australian Ban On N.Z. Stock Attacked

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29891, 3 August 1962, Page 3

Australian Ban On N.Z. Stock Attacked

An allegation that the embargo on imports of New Zealand sheep and beef into Australia was a political issue was made at toe annul meeting of the United Breeds Societies’ Association, according to the “New Zealand Meat Producer,” the official organ of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Beard. “On toe grounds of blue tongue disease, Australia could not produce any evidence to show why toe embargo should not be lifted." said Mr H. M. Studholme, secretary of toe Canterbury Agriculvural and Pastoral Association. “There is not one veterinary reason for the embargo not being Efted. and, unless there is a certain amount of anm-twisting toe position will be allowed to drag on. We should put toe heat on the Australian Government and ask if there is any serious reason for the embargo,’’ he said. Mr J. P. Robertson, Cheviot, sheep member of the executive. said that New Zealand must get “really tough’’ on Australia. He felt that the embargo was maintained more for commercial than health reasons. Australia has been trying to stop the entry of sheep from New Zealand on a number of pretexts and when blue tongue came into the news, it became a wonderful opportunity to stop stock. “We must get beyond toe health and stack side and approach toe problem through the Department of Industries and Commerce. This is a political issue,” he saiid. It was suggested that the Minister of Industries and Commerce <Mr Marshall) should be asked to take a stronger line on trade with Australia. The lifting of the embargo on livestock from New Zealand could help considerably in remedying the adverse trade balance. “Fear Complex” A “fear complex” oyer blue tongue had been responsible for toe decision by toe Australian authorities to main-

tain the embargo on New Zealand sheep and cattle, said Mr J. E. Mcllwaine, director of the animal industry division of the Department of . Agriculture. There . was considerable apprehension over the possibility that the virus of the disease might be introduced into the Australian Merino sheep industry, with its 160 m sheep. The disease had been in Africa for years and then it had got into America, where it had gone unrecognised for nearly eight years. It had also been found in Portugal and Spain, Because it was found in these two countries, the Australians believed it would spread to France and Britain, Britain and France had never had the disease and New Zealand had n-yver had it. In Spain and Portugal it had been eliminated by vaccination. “On that basis I cannot see how Australia can justify maintaining its embargo on New Zealand sheep and cattle.” he said.