VEAL TRADE POSSIBILITIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 12

VEAL TRADE POSSIBILITIES.

No doubt most of us realise the importance of the primary in this country. We stand or tall, so to speak, upon the value of our P™ 1 -' exports. If, then, it is possible to increase the volume, and with it the value, of New Zealand exports, it behoves us to give the matter our attention. More particularly is this the case if some article, hitherto considered more or less valueless here, looms up in the Home markets as a product in considerable demand by a section of the community. The transport of perishable produce thousands of miles overseas nowadays presents no terrors since the manufacture of artificial ice became practical and permitted the development of the great frozen meat industry. In this connection the recent development of the trade in veal and boneless beef may be cited. The exportation of young veal into the United Kingdom is not an innovation, but full advantage apparently has not been taken of the Opportunities offering. In days gone by Holland sent young calves to England, and it was hot till Great Britain imposed prohibition on the importation of fresh meat from Europe, on account of (he risk of introducing foot-and-mouth disease, that oversea countries in the Empire elected to take a hand in the business. Here it must be mentioned that tens of thousands of calves have been destroyed immediately after birth, thus constituting a serious economic loss of what could, if properly cared for and handled, be converted into marketable material for which there is a good demand. It is estimated that the trade in this meat., attained at the small cost of feeding and handling for a few days, might be worth around £lOO,OOO a year to the Dominion. This is a business surely worth exploiting. The Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, recently reviewed the position as it affected our interests, and indicated some of the possibilities of the veal, trade and the heed of studying the demand of consumers abroad in order not to endanger to-day’s ready demand for young veal in the British market. The prohibition of the importation of fresh meat into Britain is our opportunity, and should be seized. Shipments'of the meat with the bones removed were tried out in a small experimental way in New Zealand last year, and apparently met with a good reception from the trade. “ Unfortunately,” says Mr Hawken, “ the erroneous and mischievous designation * day-old 1 calves gained currency in connection with the trade, and created

prejudice against it. After consultation through the medium of the Meat Board and the High Commissioner with the

health authorities at Home, arrangements 'were made under which the importation of the meat would be permitted for a few months this season by way of trial, conditions being that the animals should not be less than three days old, that they should be well nourished from birth, and that the boned flesh should be so folded in packing as to allow the inspectors at Home to inspect the necessary parts. It was also made clear that the meat would be subjected to strict inspection on arrival, and that it would be passed or rejected on its merits, and all intending exporters who had communicated with the department were advised accordingly.”

Humour had it that calves under three day's old and insufficiently nourished were being slaughtered for export, but we understand there is nothing in the indictment. The inspecting- officers have special instructions in regard to this aspect of the trade, and strict inquiries have been and are being made in order io ensure that the definite requirements with respect to age and proper nourishment are being carried out. Certainly it would seem somewhat ludicrous if the New- Zealand Meat Producers’ Board’s oversight was so narrow that any phase Of our meat export trade should be placed in jeopardy at this end. Indeed, ,the final paragraph in its last annual report supports our contention: “Once again the board would like to take the Opportunity of impressing on all farmers the importance of keeping up the quality M all meat shipped from this Dominion. JtVith the increasing competition from ®ther countries it makes it all the more

important that wc do not in any way relax our efforts in this direction. This is an obligation that is placed on every farmer to safeguard our good reputation on Smithfield.” “ One thing that is most necessary is that farmers must feed and properly care for these calves from birth,” states the Minister of Agriculture. “If they fail to do so, the trade will quickly' come to an end, as the inspecting officers have been instructed to be strict in dealing with animals found to be under age or improperly' nourished.” Following the inspection here, there is sure to be a very rigid inspection made at Home, while the general get-up of the veal product should be of the best, and no risk run of losing what promises to be a very payable trade in the near future.