Fish-for-beef battle likely to intensify

Press, 28 August 1978, Page 4

Fish-for-beef battle likely to intensify

NZPA-Reuter Tokyo The diplomatic battle between Japan and New Zealand over a fish-for-beef-and-butter treaty may be over, but skirmishes between the two countries are likely in the years ahead. New Zealand diplomats and Japanese officials in Tokyo have acknowledged that tough bargaining lies ahead each year when the New Zealand Government sets the annual fish quotas for Japanese fishermen.

They expect little trouble next year, but see the possibi. lities on conflict growing over time and the growth of the domestic New Zealand fishing industry. Japan and New Zealand initialled the treaty, which gives Japanese fishermen the right to fish in the 200-mile economic zone, in Wellington last week after a last-minute hitch caused by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon).

He was dissatisfied with the language in the draft treaty. He wanted it to contain clear Japanese assurances that New Zealand would be given more favourable trade treatment in re-

turn for Japanese access to the New Zealand fishing zone.

But last week he agreed to let the agreement be signed as originally negotiated. He said Tokyo had been told clearly what New Zealand would consider when setting annual fish quotas. New Zealand diplomats in Tokyo said the New Zealand Government argued during the negotiations that there was a direct link between the amount of New Zealand exports to Japan and the amount of fish which Japanes fishermen would be permitted to take in the new zone.

“Our performance in your market will determine how much fish you can have,” a diplomat said New Zealand had been telling Japan. But the diplomats said Japan had never accepted this principle because of fears of setting a precedent-in negotiations with other countries, especially Pacific nations. The treaty, which has yet to be published or ratified, is believed to say in effect that New Zealand’s national interests will be taken into account during fish quota talks.

Under international prac-

tice New Zealand must let other countries catch the fish it cannot take, but it has the right to set the quotas for each country, based on several principles, including New Zealand’s national interest.

Basically New Zealand, which is selling less to the Common Market countries, wants to sell more beef, butter, cheese and skim-milk powder to Japan. “Eighty per cent of our exports are agricultural products and what happens to our exports has a great impact on our economy,” a New Zealand diplomat said. The linking of fish quotas for Japan with Tokyo’s willingness to take more New Zealand exports might backfire on the New Zealand Government.

New Zealand plans to build up its domestic fishing industry so that it will be able to catch all the fish in the 20mile zone.

Thus, as the New Zealand industry grows, the Japanese quota is likely to fall. This could result in the Japanese using the link in reverse, saying that they will take less New Zealand exports unless Wellington raises the fishing quota.