‘Lamb war’ on N.Z. by U.S. sheepmen

Press, 14 April 1984, Page 3

‘Lamb war’ on N.Z. by U.S. sheepmen

NZPA staff correspondent Washington America’s National Woolgrowers’ Association has “declared war” on New Zealand lamb exports, an official said yesterday. The association’s executive committee met in Washington yesterday and adopted a resolution calling for countervailing duties against New Zealand lamb. The resolution accuses the New Zealand Government of using illegal subsidies and the New Zealand sheep industry of unfair trade which is injuring American sheepfarmers. The resolution will now

go before a full board meeting in South Dakota in early August. Industry sources indicated that it was likely to be Adopted there, and that the N.W.G.A. would then become a signatory to a petition being prepared by the American Lamb Company, of California, asking the Administration to impose duties. A similar petition was filed in 1981, when a preliminary countervailing duty of 6.19 per cent f.o.b. was imposed. That duty was lifted after the petitioners, including the N.W.G.A., withdrew their complaint. New Zealand soon after de-

cided to put SUS2OO,OOO ($304,000) a year into a generic promotion fund. Mr Dan Murphy, of the N.W.G.A.’s Washington office — w.b.o. told NZPA that it was “war” — said he believed the American Lamb Company would probably go ahead and fife its petition soon without waiting for formal endorsement by the association which could join as a signatory later.

The resolution charges that New, Zealand lamb “sells consistently at prices 10 to 30 per cent below domestic lamb in United States markets on comparable cuts.”