“U.S. Has No Plans To Limit Lamb Imports”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32166, 9 December 1969, Page 12

“U.S. Has No Plans To Limit Lamb Imports”

> The United States . Government had no t plans to limit the increasling lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand, a senior Agriculture Department official Mid in Denver. Mr Donald Rubel, assistant administrator of the Foreign Agriculture Service, said that limiting lamb imports did not seem the best or even a viable approach to the United States problem of

shaiply rising lamb imports. But la a speech in Deaver be suggested trade talks between the United States lamb industry and the two countries to work out better marketing procedures and pricing policies. Better timing was needed so that imports were not heavily concentrated in a two or three-month period, but were spread over a year, be said. More information on prices and shipping was also required from the Australian and New Zealand lamb industries. Spread Market

Mr Rubel urged importers to try to develop lamb markets throughout the United States instead of concentrating shipments in the New England and New York areas. Speaking to the National Lamb Breeders’ Association, Mr Rubel said that lamb imports were not forcing United States lamb prices down, nor were they causing a decline in production—the two criteria for limiting imports. Instead, he said, the out-

look was for an increase in prices and a labour supply shortage, which has already prevented increased United States lamb production. Big Increase Australian and New Zealand lamb imports in the first 10 months of this year totalled 36.7 m lb, compared with 14.5 m lb for the same period last year. The United States Government estimates that imports will average just under 8 per cent of lamb consumption this year, compared with about 4 per cent last year.