Meat industry

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 12

Meat industry

Sir,—Twelve farms in this district will be mating 5000 fewer ewes (-18 per cent) than last year. In my case there will be 90 per cent fewer lambs for export, but the loss of income from lamb will be covered by additional wool production. The meat industry should view this trend away from lamb production as "the writing on the wall.” To survive, the meat industry must move rapidly to greatly improve marketing and processing. There should be no wage rise, or capital expenditure within the industry. The economy is heading for a crash landing because Mr Douglas’s policies are not working. An out-of-control deficit, increased overseas debt, and debt servicing, high interest rates and capital inflows have inflated the value of the New Zealand dollar, substantially lowering lamb returns- to- farmers. This has re- • duced the time the meat industry has to make the changes needed for its survival. — Yours, etc., B. K. MACFARLANE. Parnassus R.D., February 15, 1986.