Assurances on surplus

Press, 26 April 1984, Page 12

Assurances on surplus

PA Wellington The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, says he received “very firm” assurances from the United States Government that New Zealand’s interests would be considered before the United States gave away surplus dairy products. Sir Robert said that when he had seen President Reagan and his Cabinet in Washington in February he had raised New Zealand’s “strong concerns over the impact United States dairy disposals could have on our commercial markets. “I received assurances that the United States had no intention of damaging New Zealand’s vital economic interests.”

Labour’s spokesman on overseas trade, Mr M. K.

Moore, has said in Washington that he firmly believes the United States will continue donations of surplus dairy products abroad and will even sell some. Sir Robert said he had been assured specifically that New Zealand would be given every opportunity to make its views known in good time if and when proposals emerged for disposing of surplus United States dairy products internationally. “Naturally the exchanges which took place between our two Governments in this area are confidential,” he said. “What I can say is that since my visit we have been in continuous contact with the Americans and nothing has happened which would invalidate the very firm assurances I was given.”