Meat Sales To Europe Urged

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30846, 3 September 1965, Page 3

Meat Sales To Europe Urged

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 2. The New Zealand Government should do more to increase meat exports to European countries, said a survey prepared for the London office of the Meat Board by its advertising agents, Erwin Wasey, Ltd.

The report said more Government action was needed to reduce import and veterinary restrictions and to make satisfactory and continuous trading arrangements with European countries, especially where there was a big potential, as in France, Germany, Italy and Scandinavia. The absence from Europe of New Zealand Government trade representatives meant New Zealand could not take advantages as they arose. The “prerequisite to successful trading” was the opening of commercial offices, staffed by trained Government trade representatives, in several European countries and for the staff to improve trading relations and work continuously with the board and meat companies. Referring to some New Zea-land-owned meat-exporting companies and their unwillingness to co-operate more in

European exhibitions, the report said “meat companies must be made to realise that it takes continued efforts to open new markets and longterm benefits will be theirs I if they support the board.” At present the Government did not participate in enough European exhibitions and shows to open and develop new markets and gain better trading arrangements, the report said. Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Spain were countries with marketing opportunities where exhibitions should take place. The report said small promotional programmes were meeting with success in Greece, Italy, the Netherland and Sweden.

Because New Zealand had always found a ready and profitable market for her meat exports in Britain little real effort appeared to be made to export to Europe. The survey said exports to European countries, which were predominantly beef, pork and veal eating, and favoured lean meat, would pose, new problems for New Zealand meat producers. If necessary, health officials of countries where veterinary regulations restrict meat imports should visit New Zealand to see the modern hygiene and packing standards which New Zealand producers set.