Middle East’s meat rules hamper trade

Press, 16 September 1982, Page 27

Middle East’s meat rules hamper trade

PA Wellington Meat industry executives will visit the Middle East to seek a relaxation <?f stringent meat import rales hindering trade with the area.i

The four executives will visit Saudi Arabia/ Dubai. Oman. Kuwait. Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. /

The Meat Board is concerned that the regulations are putting unrealistic constraints on New fjfealand exports to those countries. The regulations — especiallv those relating to the age of the meat a; arrival, expiry dates, libelling, and bacteriological standards — were far tougter than those imposed in raditional importing counties, said Mr Allan Fraze'. the board's assistant g<neral manager (marketing) "Given tie seasonal nature of our production and our distance fom these markets. New Zealmd is finding itself severelvpenalised in its abilitv to ervice the growing Gulf mrkets.'" he said. "It r particularly frustrating intiew of New Zealand's

very good reputation for hygiene. storage, and shipping and because there is a strong preference for New Zealand lamb and beef in this region."

The main aim of the visit will be to convince the countries that they can relax their regulations and still be guaranteed a top-quality product.

Mr Frazer said one country required that there be no more than three days between slaughter and arrival in the country of airfreighted chilled lamb. Another had a five-day deadline.

"Given our distance from the market we are simply unable to supply this trade, yet we successfully service other markets of even greater distance from New Zealand."

The deadline for the arrival of frozen lamb in most States is three months after slaughter. Though exporters could generally just meet this deadline, it created serious difficulties because of infrequent shipping services and the high cost of main-

taining supply during the offseason. Mr Frazer said.

Expiry dates had to be shown on all meat, the tightest for frozen lamb was eight months, after which it was not considered fit for human consumption.

"The Meat Industry Research Institute has shown that the acceptable storage life for stockinette-wrapped lamb is up to 24 months. These studies relate to New Zealand and British consumers' payability standards. though we have yet to learn if Middle East consumers can detect unfavourable flavours in products somewhat earlier than other markets." he said.

The executive party will include Mr Frazer; Mr Trevor Stewart, of the Primary Producers' Co-operative Society, representing meat exporters; and a representataive each from the Meat Research Institute and the New Zealand consulate in Bahrain.