Govt M.P.s criticise sheep export bill

Press, 10 December 1984, Page 24

Govt M.P.s criticise sheep export bill

PA Wellington A private member’s bill to facilitate the export of live sheep has been brought into Parliament by Mr D. W. A. Marshall (Nat., Rangitikei) but did not win the support of the Government. Mr Marshall said the export of live sheep should be allowed as a diversification of farming practice. He said industry studies had shown that the sale of live sheep would also enhance the potential to expand sales of frozen meat to the Middle East. “At a time when we are rendering down thousands of tonnes of lamb and mutton, the export of live animals has the potential to earn millions of extra dollars of export income for farmers and for New Zealand,” he said. “The export of live sheep will be the first part of a new economic package for agriculture that we will be asking this Government to implement in order to ensure that the industry re-

mains viable,” Mr Marshall said.

Mr R. K. Maxwell (Lab., Waitakere) said he was suspicious about the motives behind the bill.

It was a “superficial, trifling bill” designed to create industrial chaos at an inappropriate time while wage talks were under way.

Mr Maxwell said Mr Marshall had not indicated any discussions with the Meat Board, Federated Farmers, or other interested bodies.

The bill provided for no consents for exporting which was “totally irresponsible”.

Mr lan McLean (Nat., Tarawera) said the Government should look at how it could make the freezing industry more efficient. It was completely protected, and the cost of that protection was too high. If the Government allowed live sheep exports there would at least be a small amount of competition in the freezing works. But Mr J. R. Sutton (Lab.,

Waitaki) said the move was a cheap political trick to inflame relations between workers and employers in the freezing industry. No market existed for New Zealand’s cull ewes — the live market was more for two-tooth wethers from Australia.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger, said the Labour Party had nothing to lose by giving the bill a fair go, and he asked the Government to be consistent and give farmers the chance to find alternative markets for their produce. Mr A. R. Wallbank (Lab., Gisborne) said the bill had no relevance because there was nothing to stop farmers from putting up a proposal for live sheep exports. If it had the approval of freezing workers and waterside unions, the Government would seriously consider the idea. As it was, the bill was a selfish move which would hurt country workers.

The debate was interrupted when the House adjourned for the week.