EXPORT OF SHEEP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16874, 11 February 1929, Page 3

EXPORT OF SHEEP

AUSTRALIAN TRADE

CONFERENCE RECOMMENDED

A further step in the direction of preventing'the export to Australia of inferior stud and flock sheep, was taken at a meeting of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society, when it was •decided to recommend to the Agricultural Department that a conference representative of the various sheep breeding societies be convened, to discuss the position. In November last, the council met to discuss with Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director- ■ General of the Department of Agriculture, the question of framing regulations governing the export of stud and flock sheep. It was stated that a cablegram had been received from Australia to the effect that drastic action was being taken by the. Government; stock" ..departments there to prevent the.dumping of,inferior stud .sheep from New Zealand into the Commonwealth. Correspondence had been received from the Minister of Agriculture in New Zealand stating .that steps were being taken 1 to remove the cause of complaint with a view to protecting (breeders in Australia and reputable breeders in New Zealand. The suggestion was made in the message that there should be' an export tax of two guineas a head on stud sheep leaving the Dominion, the feeling being that the payment of such a tax would hot be justified on "dud" sheep. The opinion Was expressed at the time by Dr. Reakes that the central, organiation governing the -export of suitable sltcep should be the Royal Agricultural Society, as its council had on it representatives of the various sheep breeding societies. In addition, an export mark of quality made by the society would Carry considerable weight amongst the Australian breeders, and would .restore confidence in the quality of • the New Zealand sheep. After a very lengthy discussion, a plan of procedure was agreed upon, providing for strict inspection of export sheep by competent men, the tattooing of sheep passed as being oi exportable standard, and the issuing of export certificates, to be endorsed by the Royal Agricultural Society. The scheme was' then submitted to the various sheep breeding societies for careful consideration.

At the recent meeting, replies were read from the New Zealand Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association, the. Ryeland Sheep Society of New Zealand, the Corri odale Sheep Society, the Canterbury A. and P. Society, and the New Zealnnd Sheep Breeders' Association, clearly indicating that tho various bodies did not wish the Royal Agricultural Society to interfere with the issuing of export certificates. Tt was decided to refer tho whole matter, together with the above replies, |to the Agricultural Department, wnth a. recommendation that a conference representative of all the breeding societies be convened to consider the position. • • The number and value of the sheep exported to Australia in the past four years were: 1925, 2495 (£12,721); 1926, 3541 (£19,333); 1927, 6713 (£30,403); 1928. 2583 (£14,046).