N.Z. Cattle Farmers Challenged In U.S.

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32306, 26 May 1970, Page 14

N.Z. Cattle Farmers Challenged In U.S.

During discussions at the American National Cattlemen’s Association headquarters in Denver, Colorado, New Zealand Hereford breeders on a world tour of cattle breeding countries were challenged about New Zealand’s beef exports to the United States and the bar on American beef imports into New Zealand. A report on the New Zealanders’ visit in the Pacific weekly edition of the “Western Livestock Journal” says that the tour leader, Mr W I. Matthews, of Waipukurau, who is president of the New Zealand Hereford Breeders’ Association, said that New Zealand had never exceeded its voluntary quota of shipments and wanted to avoid opsetting the United States 'internal price structure.

The proportion of cuts to manufacturing beef had been held to 15 per cent or less by New Zealand exporters. On imports from the United States to New Zealand, Mr Matthews had pointed out that this was not possible from a practical point of view because of New Zealand’s much lower price structure.

Mr E. J. Alloway, of Hastings, also mentioned New Zealand’s fear of blue tongue infection in sheep, which exists regionally in the United States. He said that because of risk of disease the New Zealand Government barred imports of both breeding stock and meat. The tour, which left New Zealand last month, will include the Soviet Union.