U.S. will give butter away

Press, 11 October 1982, Page 6

U.S. will give butter away

NZPA staff correspondent Washington The United States will make surplus dairy stocks available immediately to give to foreign governments and humanitarian organisations abroad to aid the needy, the Secretary of Agriculture. Mr John Block, has announced.

The programme, long expected. should alleviate the United States Agriculture Departments threat to put the surpluses on the world market, a move that would slash New Zealand's export receipts, but New 'Zealand’ officials in Washington will be watching that the giveaways do not interfere with normal commercial markets.

“We have to keep them honest," said the minister (commercial) and senior trade commissioner at the New Zealand Embassy, Mr Tony Cranston.

Mr Block made the announcement at an agricultural “round table” at his Illinois farm, attended by the New Zealand Ambassador, Mr Lance Adams-Schneider. Also, there were ambassadors from nine other coun-

tries and representatives of American farm organisations.

Mr Block’s announcement did not make it clear how much of the nearly SUS 3 billion worth of surplus stocks would be made avail l able, but he said the giveaways "would not replace normal commercial trade in dairy products." Much of the surplus would go to waste if not used soon, he said.

"It would be irresponsible for the United States not to implement this humanitarian programme to help these people who do not have enough food," Mr Block said. Co-ordination of food giveaway programmes is done by the Washington-based Committee on Surplus Disposals, a committee of the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation.

The committee also ensures that such programmes do not interfere with normal trading patterns.

New Zealand attends meetings of the committee. Mr Cranston said New Zealand diplomats would be there to check on the guidelines being proposed.