Duties on Beef Affect Foreign Meat

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 14, 18 January 1937, Page 10

Duties on Beef Affect Foreign Meat

SUBSIDY FOR BRITISH FARMERS LONDON, Dec. 10. The British Livestock Industry Bill is to be introduced in Parliament on January 19. As a preliminary, two resolutions imposing duties on foreign veal and beef were discussed in the House of Commons this week, and met with little encouragement from Labour members. Tiliey took the view that the proposal was one of transferring the burden of subsidy from the Treasury which had borne it hitherto, to the poorest sections of the community, since roughly 50 per cent of the meat consumed in Great Britain was imported, chilled or frozen. The Government’s policy of imposing a moderate duty on foreign beef and veal, combined with a subsidy to the home producer, is designed%to preserve a proper balance between the interests of the British farmer and the con-

sumer, and at the same time to safeguard British oversea trade. The estimated revenue from the duties, rather nioro than £3,000,000 a year, is not expected to cover the future cost of the cattle subsidy. Imports from the Dominions are duty free, since the Dominions attacih special importance to the beef industry. It is desired to secure their participation in the scheme for the orderly regulation of supplies to the British market. The duties come into force immediately and their effect is that from December 16. 1936, imported beef and veal not of Empire production will be charged at the rate of 3d per lb. for chilled meat and 2-3 d. per lb. for meat other than beef and veal. For boned or boneless beef and veal and edible offals 20 per cent of the value of the goods will be imposed.