STUD STOCK IMPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23085, 9 July 1938, Page 14

STUD STOCK IMPORTS

Means by which the effect of the embargo on .the direct importation of stud stock from Britain could be largely reduced were indicated by the Minister of Agriculture in addressing the conference of the Royal Agricultural Society yesterday. Mr. Leo Martin made it perfectly clear that there was no possibility of the embargo being lifted, a decision that, to judge by previous expressions of opinion, should be approved by the majority of the fanners' organisations and even by some of the breed societies. Farmers have enough animal diseases to cope with and do not wish to run any avoidable risk of the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease. They are prepared to face considerable sacrifices, if necessary, to retain the Dominion's present immunity. On the other hand those stud breeders who insist on the necessity for various reasons of importing stock from Britain either have to deny themselves or incur considerable expense in money and time in bringing in the animals by indirect routes. Mr.'Lee Martin gave figures showing the added cost in a particular case. At the same time British breeders resent the embargo <is interfering seriously with an export market and through the National Farmers' Union bring their complaints to the ears of the British Government and public. The effect on New Zealand's goodwill in her chief market cannot be good. Mr. Lee Martin's suggestion that the Government would be found willing to assist breeders in meeting the heavy charges incurred in indirect importation offers a way of overcoming the difficulties. New Zealand breeders should be enabled to import the stock they insist are necessary and British breeders to find a more normal market in the Dominion. This method certainly involves opening "the back door" wider but, if not strictly logical, it does offer a solution of an old and nagging problem that is worthy of full .consideration* :