U.S. lamb ultimatum

Press, 14 August 1980, Page 1

U.S. lamb ultimatum

NZPA Washington American lamb producers have given New Zealand an ultimatum—reduce exports to the United States or face the threat of import controls. The National Wool Growers’ Association has threatened to. file a petition seeking a 20 to 30 per cent duty on lamb imports next month unless New Zealand gives certain guarantees about the growth of exports. “What they are really asking for is voluntary restraints, which we have already rejected,” said Mr Graeme Lindsay, executive vice-president of the New Zealand Lamb Company. The sheepfarmers’ request had been referred to his New Zealand principals, who were considering it. The board of the National Wool Growers’ Association recently authorised its executive committee to file a petition seeking countervailing duties of 20 to 30 per cent

on New Zealand lamb imports. V The case will be based on assertions that New Zealand-'Government ex« port tax incentives amount to an unfair subsidy. Mr Marvin Cronberg, executive director of the Wool Growers’ Association, said the petition would be filed next month unless “some kind of an agreement” could be reached with New Zealand exporters. The association wanted assurances that New Zealand would not increase exports to the United States by 20 per cent iri the next five years, as has been projected, and guarantees that any collapse of new-found markets in the Middle East would not lead to a sudden increase in shipments to America. New Zealand lamb shipments to the United States are expected to total 14,000 to 15,000 tonnes this year. Lamb and casein are the only primary exports frorh New Zealand not sub: ject to import controls.