Britain seeks N.Z.’s help

Press, 17 November 1980, Page 34

Britain seeks N.Z.’s help

NZPA correspondent London

The British Government has asked New Zealand for help in boosting the popularity of British-grown Cox’s orange apples.

In an effort to increase consumption of tile apple, the British Minister of Agriculture (Mr Peter Walker) has asked the New Zealand Apple and Pear Board for help in co-ordinating promotion.

The campaign, to be carried out by the British Apple and Pear Development Council to which Mr Walker has already given almost $1 million, is designed to support British apple growers and protect them against the flood of French golden delicious which have swamped the market for tire last two years.

After meeting Mr Walker yesterday, the New Zealand board’s European manager, Mr Neil Guymer, told the NZPA the British request was recognition of the board’s efforts over several years to promote the Cox’s orange variety to where it is now one of the most popular varieties in Europe.

The season for New Zea-land-grown Cox’s orange in Britain lasts only about two months and the British Government's aim is to try and build up the variety as a type of twice-yeariy treat, liriking the northern and southern seasons. The" apple accounts for

about half New Zealand’s total apple exports and sells for more than $23 a carton in Europe, fetching top prices in France in the last three seasons of up to $27 a carton.