Govt agrees to higher levy

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 38188, 30 March 1973, Page 2

Govt agrees to higher levy

(N.Z. Press Association/ WELLINGTON, March 29. The Government had agreed to amend regulations affecting the levy that meat producers pay to finance the Meat Board, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Moyle) said today in a speech prepared for delivery to the electoral; college of the Meat and Wool Boards. “While this is a matter for] the industry to decide. I; should inform you that the I Government has agreed to I amend the regulations to give | effect to the industry’s deci-i sions if an increase is accep- I ted,” he said. “It is the Government's; view that the levy should be, set at a level that would both ‘ recoup the cost of the Meat| Board’s activities and go some distance toward rebuilding

, the Meat Industry Reserve I Account to compensate for the slsm that was withdrawn ias part of the stock retention 'incentive scheme. “If the Meat Industry Reserve Account is to have any real validity in the context |of the present export income (from meat and the likely I prospects for growth, then in times of good prices the industry has a responsibility not only to set aside funds against a possible downturn in prices, but also to provide I for a greater effort in mar‘ket and product development and research.” said Mr Moyle. “It will be the Government’s policy to assist and; (encourage the industry ini (these fields. If you show you I are willing to do it, we shall Imatch you in that endeavour, i “In my opinion this is a ■ much more justifiable form of ‘assistance to the producer (and his industry than (Straight subsidies.” STOCK IMPROVEMENT ' Mr Moyle also announced that the Government would ; make the Dairy Board a grant of §74,000 to help establish a livestock improvement scheme. He said the grant would meet the initial establishment and promotional costs and half the running costs of a national beef - recording (scheme, covering all types of • beef production.