Beef imports watched by U.S.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32620, 31 May 1971, Page 2

Beef imports watched by U.S.

(N Z PA. Stag' Correspondent) WASHINGTON, May 30. United States agricultural authorities are keeping a close watch on the bed import situation after a 25 per cent fall off in boneless beef supplies during the first quarter of this year.

Speculation in the beef trade suggests that Australia, which supplied far less beef to the United States in the first three months of this year than it did in the corresponding period of 1970, may have difficulty in filling its 1971 import quota.

The Australian supply capability is of particular interest to New Zealand which would like to get approval to send a greater quantity of beef to the United States than has so far been authorised.

The Administration agreed, when setting the 1971 import levels, to review the supply situation with Australia, New Zealand and Ireland during the year. Washington is particularly keen for a review to be held whfen a clear indication of supply levels over the first six months is available. Preliminary talks, at least, may take place before the end of next month but the outcome of any review will probably depend to a large extent on the Australian supply position.

Suggestions are being made within the beef trade that because it accepted a contract to supply the Soviet

Union with about 50,000 tons this year Australia will be hard put to meet its import entitlement of 560.3 m lb. New Zealand meat trade authorities are confident that New Zealand will take up its entitlement of 234.1 m lbs. They say a further allocation would be welcomed.

1 Total American boneless 1 beef imports in the first three 1 months of this year amounted to nearly 224.5 m lb. The corresponding figure I for 1970 was 307.2 m lb. Dur--1 ing March only 83m lb was : imported compared with • 103 m lb in the same ’ month last year. I Reduced supplies from i Australia accounted for most 1 of the decline. i During March American exports of live cattle to Canada were expected to deI cline but about 5400 head of ; cattle were sent across the border in March—looo more ; than in February. The Canadian beef market was scrutinised closely last year because of a large trade which developed across the Canadian border to the United States in New Zealand and Australian beef.

Reports recently suggested there were signs of this trade developing again. These reports, said the United States Department of Agriculture had caused the dispatch of a high official to stddy the position and see if fresh control methods were needed.

But there were no signs of “Tasman" beef being transshipped in large quantities, said officials.