Meat export critics attacked

Press, 29 May 1982, Page 3

Meat export critics attacked

PA Wellington The acting chairman of the Meat Exporters' Council, Mr Eric Cammell, yesterday described recent criticism of exporters' marketing activities as “head-line grabbing.” He said far too many negative statements had

been made recently about the state of the meat industry. Jjlt is difficult enough for exporters to secure worth while overseas sales without having to cope with head-line grabbing criticisms at home," he said.

Mr Cammell’s coments came after a statement from the Meat Board earlier this week which said exporters were failing to honour marketing agreements and were putting short-term profits before the national interest. Farmers' conferences in Auckland and Lincoln College have also criticised exporters’ marketing activities. Mr Cammell said it was unfortunate that more people did not focus on the achievements of the industry, which was probably unrivalled anywhere in the world for the production, processing, and marketing of red meat. Throughout the industry’s 100-year history there had been regular ups and downs. "Despite this we have never failed to find the farmer an outlet for his stock or a market for the product at prices which are both internationally competitive and which take into account New Zealand's market development objectives." In the last 'three years exporters had had to cope with quotes on sheep meat exports to the European Economic Community as well as adverse affects of the community’s common agricultural policy in many international markets. Mr Cammell said.