Export co-operation

Press, 24 September 1980, Page 20

Export co-operation

PA Wellington A formula is being examined by the dairy industries of New Zealand and Australia involving the sharing of third markets in South-East Asia and the future growth of New Zealand dairy exports across the Tasma.i, says the president of the National Farmers’ Federation of Australia, Mr Donald Eckersley. Mr Eckersley has been on a week-long familiarisation visit to New Zealand, during which he has met the Minister of AgrIculture (Mr Maclntyre). He will return to Wellington in early December as leader of an N.F.F.A, delegation, for extensive talks with New Zealand Federated Farmers on the implications for agriculture of closer Tasman relations. “Both farming organisa-

tions are now preparing position papers on each agricultural commodity and how that commodity will be affected by freer trade,” Mr Eckersley said. The discussions' would take-place from December 5 to 12. He was “fairly optimistic” that a high degree of agreement would be reached. Asked about problems that had arisen from time to time relating to New Zealand cheese exports to Australia, ' Mr Eckersley said he did not believe these difficulties were insurmountable. The Australian Dairy Corporation and the New Zealand Dairy Board have reached an understanding on cheese for the next 12month period, which now gives them time to look at the situation further are looking at

closer co-operation and the sharing of third markets, particularly in South-East Asia, in order to ensure we do not cut each other’s throats.”

He said that he was optimistic that a reasonable compromise could be reached by the two dairy industries. The N.F.F.A., which represents 170,000 Australian farmers and has only been in operation • for 18 months, embraces farmer organisations in all Australian states. It covers a broad spectrum of producers from mushroom growers, beekeepers ■ and horticulturists to beef, wheat and dairy farmers. Mr Eckersley said Australian and New Zealand farmers had built up good rapport over many years and retained a “healthy respect” for each other.