Apple, meat deals with Iran

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33773, 20 February 1975, Page 2

Apple, meat deals with Iran

(N.Z. Press Association)

NELSON, February 19. The Apple and Pear Board and the Iran and New Zealand Trading Company, Ltd, have reached agreement on the sale of about sl.sm worth of apples. The board’s general manager (Mr J. B. Cubey) said today that the successful conclusion to the negotiations now depended on final acceptance by Iranian authorities of the shipping dates.

The first shipment of about 2000 tonnes is to leave New Zealand during March to meet Iran’s requirements for a mid-Aprii deadline. A second shipment of a further 2000 tonnes is to leave New Zealand early in August. SCHOOL FRUIT “The apples will be part of the Shah of Iran’s school fruit programme,” Mr Cubey said.

“Had we been able to supply more fruit, the Iranians would have taken it, but unfortunately we do not have the fruit at this time of the year to meet Iran’s immediate needs. We will meet some of their requirements

for the latter part of the year.” Mr Cubey said that Iran’s interest in New Zealand apples was long-term, and that the intention was to repeat and possibly increase the order next year. The initial approach for the deal had been made by the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) when he visited Iran last year. •BAN WILL GO’ The chairman of the Meat Board (Mr C. Hilgendorf) said today that the Government would lift its ban on the export of live sheep to allow a multi-million dollar meat deal with Iran to go through.

Iranian directors of the trading company yesterday said die restrictions, introduced after an outcry about

live sheep shipments to Iran in 1973, must be lifted for the agreement to have any chance of survival.

The success of the deal depends on the Government’s decision, which will not be made until the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Moyle) returns to the country next week. FROZEN PREFERRED

Mr Hilgendorf said that if prices were the same, and meat could easily be disposed of, he would prefer New Zealand to sell frozen meat. But if there were any questions of not being able to sell meat, he would prefer to see live sheep sold overseas.