Export transition ‘orderly’

Press, 24 January 1986, Page 10

Export transition ‘orderly’

The marketing of New Zealand’s export sheepmeat is being handled in an orderly and disciplined manner, according to a spokesman for the meat processing companies. A broad marketing plan has been developed for the coming year, with special emphasis on further processing, rather than just carcases, the executive director of the Meat Industry Association, Mr Peter Blomfield, said. The association represents all private freezing companies and meat exporters which have had to resume responsibility for marketing following the withdrawal of the Meat Board from central control late last year. “The marketing will be

handled by five groups of companies, each of which will offer a schedule. Farmers will be paid by the individual companies, and company premiums will be offered,” Mr Blomfield said.

The groups involve a total of 35 companies, but single seller markets such as Iran are likely to be served by one organisation, he said. In the United Kingdom there are five main importers which will handle marketing on behalf of the New Zealand groups. The association will monitor volumes and prices in that market.

Representatives of major British importers are in New Zealand this week to meet industry representatives and to de-

velop the procedures needed for liaison with the industry here. A team of negotiators is now in Iran to arrange this year’s lamb contract with that country. Mr Blomfield said the arrangements could take three weeks or longer to complete.

"The whole process of changing over from the Meat Board to the private sector is going very smoothly, mostly because everyone involved is being kept fully informed of every step,” he said. "We have regular meetings and consultations with all industry groups, and I am very pleased with the spirit in which everyone is tackling the new situation.”