Delay on N.Z. butter access

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 2

Delay on N.Z. butter access

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

European Agriculture Ministers have postponed a decision on access for New Zealand butter to Britain and for sheepmeat to the European Community.

This result has not been a surprise to the Minister of External Relations and Trade, Mr Moore. It follows z the meeting

held by the Ministers in Luxemburg this week.

Mr Moore said he had asked for a one-month roll-over if there could be no final decision. The Ministers had decided to do that, based on 1988 quantities, and Mr Moore said the roll-over kept the pressure on for a final decision in July. On his visit to European countries earlier this month it had been made

clear to him that a decision in June was unlikely.

The Ministers had still not given their full consideration to the shape of the E.C.’s internal sheepmeat regime, Mr Moore said. This regime had been linked by some member States to New Zealand sheepmeat access to Europe, which was in turn linked to the question of New Zealand butter access.

He said it was frustrating for New Zealand traders to have to work without a final decision, and he had said that to the Ministers he saw in Europe.

“I understand they made good progress in their discussions on the internal sheepmeat regime so I am hoping for better news next month,” Mr Moore said. “But I wouldn’t bet money on it.”