Mutton stocks

Press, 3 May 1984, Page 20

Mutton stocks

Sir,—The recent announcement by Mr Adam Begg, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, that a very large quantity of ewe mutton held in the industry’s freezers was unsaleable and could be given to Third World countries if

transport were available is typical of the board’s ineptitude. No wonder the Russians were quick to wriggle out of their mutton deal. To think that this same Meat Board used the pretext of weak sellers in the industry to take control of all sheepmeat sales in the country. The whole exercise would be a gigantic laugh if it were not so serious, and to add insult to injury the board’s actions have scant support from producers, as shown by the nationwide referendum held in December last year. Mr Begg should resign his position and make way for someone with a clearer perception of the industry’s future, to clean up the mess before it also becomes a burden on the taxpayer. — Yours, etc. WILKIE WALLACE, Waimate. April 30, 1984.