Meat Boards Talk On Beef Exports

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31783, 13 September 1968, Page 16

Meat Boards Talk On Beef Exports

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 12. Talks on beef marketing in the United States opened in Wellington today between members of the Australian and New Zealand Meat Boards.

Four Australians, led by the chairman of the Australian board (Mr J. L. Shute) arrived in Wellington yesterday. They are likely to discuss lamb marketing and shipping, but beef marketing is the over-riding issue. Beef exports to the United States from Australia and New Zealand, loosely controlled by an annual global quota, are moving at a high level and there is some concern that the quota may be filled before the year ends. Between them, the two countries supply more than 70 per cent of American beef imports. Complicating the United States annual quota system is its subdivision into quarterly quotas, which hinder exporters by limiting the amount

of meat able to enter the country during any threemonth period. With American agriculture going through a difficult period at present, protectionist sentiment is growing. Both boards are concerned that too much pressure on the American market will result in tighter quotas being imposed. Commenting on a Food and Agriculture Organisation prediction that world beef supplies would be short by 5m tons by 1975, Mr Shute said New Zealand and Australia could go a long way towards meeting world demand If they were assured of access to profitable markets. There was tittle New Zealand lamb sales in Australia, Mr Shute said.