Increased trade forecast

Press, 23 September 1981, Page 30

Increased trade forecast

PA Wellington Agricultural protectionism should not hamper the development of trade between New Zealand and Canada, the Premier of Ontario, Mr William Davis, has said. Speaking at a press conference at the end of his twoday visit to New Zealand. Mr Davis said he recognised that the expansion of trade was “a two-way street.” “We are exporting a fair amount of pork to New Zealand. I think that our pork producers understand that if they are going to have access to New Zealand, you are going to want access for your agricultural products and derivatives, such as wine," he said. Mr Davis, who is regarded in some quarters as one of the more powerful forces in Canadian politics, said there were strong indications that the proposed Meat Import Bill would never come before the Canadian Federal Parliament. The bill proposes annual quotas on beef and veal, which now amount to more thah half New Zealand's ex-

ports to Canada. Mr Davis said there were always sensitivities about agricultural imports in any country which had its own agricultural industry. ' “We are not here to suggest that any expansion of economic opportunities should be a one-way street. We know that in this day and age we have to share these things,” Mr Davis said. There were areas outside the traditional trading patterns where the two countries could help each other. New Zealand buyers looking for goods from North America often appeared to be stopping in Los Angeles when Canada could often offer the same products more competitively. Canada’s biggest export to New Zealand is fertiliser and other crude material, accounting for slightly more than 20 per cent of their oneway trade of $125 million last year. New Zealand exported $132 million to Canada. $67 million of which was beef and veal and a further $24.5 million mutton and lamb.