U.S. seeks further curbs on cheese

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 2

U.S. seeks further curbs on cheese

(By

BRUCE KOHN. N.Z.P.A.

staff correspondent)

WASHINGTON, April 22.

New Zealand farming leaders have recorded alarm that the United States Agricultural Department is itself pressing for the imposition of further curbs on cheese imports into the United States.

The president of Federated Farmers (Mr A. C. Begg) and the federation’s general secretary (Mr J. Pryde) said after attending a United States Tariff Commission hearing they were “a little alarmed” that a Government department should be recommending further protection for the American dairy industry.

The commission was taking evidence on the question of whether restrictions should be placed on the importation of cheese costing more than 47c per lb.

Imported cheeses costing more than this sum are at present allowed in without restriction. Cheeses falling in this category are mostly fancy European-style types and New Zealand is not directly affected. It would be, however, should it wish to build up a trade in Havarti cheese.

The Agricultural Department concedes that while United States consumption of milk products is declining, cheese consumption is steadily increasing. “This rise in cheese consumption is the one bright spot on the American dairy scene, and yet here is a Government department advocating that supplies to the market be restricted,” Mr

Begg said. The hearing was called after the decision of the United States Administration

to increase the milk price support from 47c to 51c a-

The rise, it is felt in fanning circles, may cause a dairy-surplus situation to arise, and the Administration

reportedly feels it necessary to have the position over imported fancy cheeses reviewed by the commission. Messrs Begg and Pryde talked for about half an hour this week with an assistant Secretary for Agriculture (Mr C. Palmby). They'’ spoke mostly about the potential effects of British entry into the Common Market on New Zealand’s food trade.

Mr Begg said he found that Mr Palmby and farming leaders generally recognised the extent of the problems facing New Zealand. They accepted the fact that some special arrangement was necessary. Chaotic situation “They recognise that if we are shut out of the British market a chaotic situation will develop on world markets, so that increasing trade pressures will be brought to bear on the United States,” Mr Begg said. “There is also a good deal of dissatisfaction here with the E.E.C.’s agricultural policies.” Representatives of farm organisations he had talked with had indicated that they

did not feel New Zealand manufacturing-beef exports would hurt United States cattle producers—“bqt naturally they are not going to advocate higher imports, he said. Many were, however, concerned that beef prices should not go so high as to encourage consumers to turn to other meats and meat substitutes.

Messrs Begg and Pryde will also have talks in London with British political and farming leaders.