RACING Import Policy Not Relaxed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 5

RACING Import Policy Not Relaxed

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. In the country’s present overseas exchange difficulties it was impracticable for any major relaxation in policy to allow animals to be imported solely for racing or trotting purposes, the Minister of Customs, Mr Shelton, said yesterday.

“The emphasis must remain on importations directed towards maintaining and improving domestic blood lines,” he said. Mr Shelton said that a review had been completed of import licensing policy affecting the importation of horses. “It has been possible to reach accord with the Thor-

oughbred Breeders’ Association and the New Zealand Trotting Conference on several major issues,” he said.

The Minister said that the value of export earnings from the sale of racing and trotting stock should be borne in mind. It would be false economy to jeopardise these earnings by an over-restric-tive policy which did not make adequate provision for stud requirements. Mr Shelton said it was proposed to dispense with several of the conditions under which brood mares had previously been imported. Within the over-all budget provision made for these animals individual breeders would be permitted to import one mare or filly in any one licensing period, and these could be raced prior to breeding. “This recognises the value placed by many owners on an animal’s racing career as a guide towards its likely performance and removes a restriction which has on occasion proved unpopular,” he said.

“Agreement has been reached on a policy which should determine priorities on a fair and reasonable basis. The emphasis will remain on meeting the requirements of bone-fide breeders and preference will be given to those who are regular vendors at the yearling sales or who have a record of previous exports.

“In administering import control policy as it relates to horses the Customs Department has kept in close touch with the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the New Zealand Trotting Conference. “This practice will continue,” he said. The Minister said that it had also been found that there was a very high nonusage factor in import licenes issued for these animals, due mainly to their being issued to persons who wished to buy at overseas sales but who later found there was no animal offering which met their requirements. “Because this means that an untrue picture can be obtained of the extent of budget commitments the Department is introducing a system of assurances and licences will be issued in future only when actual purchases have been made pursuant to these assurances.” he concluded.