Mutton ban anger

Press, 7 December 1985, Page 10

Mutton ban anger

NZPA-PA London A new Anglo-French “sheep war” has broken out. All exports from Britain are being blocked by officials at ports of entry into France. The Agriculture Minister, Mr Michael Jopling, has already sent two protest telegrams to his French opposite number, Mr Henri Nallett, and has written to the Common Market Commission in Brussels demanding that it take action. The French are annoyed at the levels of mutton being exported by British

meat traders and last week unilaterally imposed an import licence system for all mutton from the United Kingdom. British traders said that no licences had been granted for the export of mutton and the trade had halted. The National Farmers’ Union has also called on Mr Jopling and the E.E.C. to take action over what it considers “illegal hindrances to trade”. The N.F.U. has also approached the Commission in

Brussels, demanding that it order the immediate removal of these measures to allow exports to resume. Lorries carrying mutton from Britain have been sent back across the.channel, but French merchants are buying mutton from Ireland, West Germany, and Italy. The E.E.C. has been trying to devise a new sheepmeat regime because the French are unhappy at payments made to Britain’s producers. The “sheep war” will probably continue until a deal has been agreed on