E.E.C. delays N.Z. decision

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34123, 8 April 1976, Page 2

E.E.C. delays N.Z. decision

(N.Z. Press Association} f WELLINGTON, July 7. The failure of the i E.E.C. Council of • Agriculture Ministers to reach a decision on the 1978-80 British butter quotas for New Zealand was disappointing, the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Taiboys) said today. The Council has deferred a decision until the next council meeting, on May 17 and 18. “This question has already been under consideration for many months, and it is of the highest importance for the planning of New Zealand’s dairy production and marketing that we have a decision,” said Mr Taiboys. “My understanding is that the Council of Ministers has agreed to make a decision on the New Zealand question at the next meeting, in May. I am glad to know that a firm date has now been set. Any further delay would be inconsistent with the assurances given to New Zealand at the time of Dublin. "The need for continuing access to the British market for New Zealand butter is not in question,” Mr Taiboys said. "The debate now is over the marketing background, as evidenced by the reported suggestion that the quantities agreed at this time should be subject to a later review. The Dublin declaration clearly expected definite quantities to be set for the period 1978-80. "Any suggestion of a revi-

[sion of quantities during that [period would be a departure 'from the political commitment given by heads of governments at Dublin, and this is also the position taken by the E.E.C. Commission. “My understanding is that the question of the actual i quantities is not likely to! create insuperable difficul-l ties. Figures of 125,000! tonnes for 1978, 120,000' tonnes for 1979, and 115,000] tonnes for 1980 have been mentioned in reports from Brussels. It remains our view that, entitlements of 125.000. 121.000, and 117,000 tonnes fairly reflect the intentions of the Dublin declaration,” Mr Taiboys said. BETTER NEWS Flappier news for New Zealand came in an out-of-the-blue announcement by the E.E.C. Agriculture Commissioner (Mr Petrus Lardinois) that the Community would drop its restrictions on imports of beef from nonmember countries at the end of fhe year, reports the N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent at Luxemburg. New Zealand does not sell much beef to Europe, but the restrictions have been a bone of contention for some time. I In addition, the Ministers paved the way for a ship carrying 5000 tonnes of potatoes the first New Zealand has exported to Europe — to sail for Britain and help meet a local shortage caused by last year’s drought. The shipment is worth about $1.87m and is a welcome extension of trading ties with the E.E.C. as well as a useful extra export sale.