Govt silent on butter talks

Press, 11 October 1988, Page 7

Govt silent on butter talks

By

GLEN PERKINSON,

in Wellington The Government is remaining silent about the outcome of the butter access talks with the European Community last week. The Minister of External Relations and Trade, Mr Moore, would not comment yesterday about his trip to Brussels to speak to the community’s commissioner, Mr Frans Andri eson.

However, sources said yestersday the Minister received a good response from Cabinet colleagues when he reported back to them. The Minister has been criticised by the Opposition recently about reports which said his meeting with Mr Andriessen was a victory.

Sir Robert Muldoon said the deal Mr Moore is said to have arranged with the

Europeans was nothing more than he was told during a visit to Europe four months ago. The Opposition’s acting spokesman on overseas trade, Mr Rob Storey, has accused Mr Moore of “jumping the gun” releasing details of talks with the European commissioner.

Suggestions are that if the deal betwen Mr Moore and Mr Andriessen is accepted by the European council of Agricultural Ministers when they meet on Wednesday then the large cuts may not be made to our butter exports.

It is understood the deal includes cuts of about 16,000 tonnes a year — less than the expected 25,000 tonne cut. Mr Moore is expected to make a statement after the outcome of the European Ministers’ meeting.