Lamb figure ‘realistic’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33700, 25 November 1974, Page 21

Lamb figure ‘realistic’

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 21. In the present world meat trading' climate, the prices offered to New Zealand farmers for new season’s lamb are realistic, says the chairman of the Meat Exporters’ Council (Mr IW. F. Leonard). He was commenting after I the Meat Board’s announcement of support for the lamb schedule. “Although present prices may not be attractive to farmers, the Exporters’ Council believes that farmers and the Meat Board alike recognise that the present schedule truly reflects prospects for New Zealand lamb,” Mr Leonard said. Britain was still New Zealand’s main lamb market, but prices there could be expected to reflect the normal seasonal drop in the next few months.

Prices were unlikely to, rise while the beef over-.sup-ply lasted in Europe. A “tre-' mendous volume” of very; cheap beef on the British market was being sold ati “quite uneconomic” prices — and this reflected in prices obtainable for lamb. Mr Leonard said the board and the exporters were agreed that the Minister of Agriculture, (Mr Moyle) was wrong in believing that prospects for iamb in Britain were better than had been foreseen by the trade. Referring to the announcement that the Meat Board would sustain the lamb schedule at its present level, Mr Leonard questioned whether it was in farmers’ interest for the board, under Government pressure, to dissipate its available funds iover such a short term. “The board is already

. committed to a similar; i ‘prop-up’ operation for beef) ’in the 1975-76 season, and: ! this might cost a very substantial sum. ! “The Government should; jpay the meat inspection) jfe&s, which are now paid by! (the farmer, and also pay the! 14 per cent British import !levy increase which comes into effect in January,” Mr i Leonard said. “This would immediately) ! increase the return to farm-’ )ers 4c a kilogram”. ■ I The trade would continue) Ito do its upmost to obtain) ’the. best possible results for! I New Zealand producers, said! )Mr Leonard.