Target set for meat industry

Press, 28 January 1986, Page 4

Target set for meat industry

PA ‘ Wellington The meat industry should be able to process half of all sheep meat beyond commodity form by 1990, says the Prime Minister, Mr Lange. He was speaking at the opening of New Zealand Processed Meats’ new product development centre in Mangere, the first commercially oriented meat research centre in New Zealand and Australia. “With the establishment of a centre such as this and the greater awareness within the meat industry of the need for further processing of the primary product, it is evident that the added-value concept is finally taking off,” Mr Lange said. Progress in competitive products had been “all too slow” in the past, he said, contributing to New Zealand’s lack of competitiveness in the international

market place. “We are in the unique position of being a fully developed country still critically dependent upon agriculture for our economic survival,” Mr Lange said.

“If we do not respond In this way to the hanging international marketplace, the future of our meat industry and its consequent benefit to New Zealand is not assured.

“Fortunately, the signs are here that the meat Industry is willing and able to make the needed changes. The current alm is to process 50 per cent of our sheep beyond commodity form by 1990.” The Product Development Centre had facilities for processing, packaging design and marketing of meat products, Mr Lange said. It would also let out its services as a food industry consultant, he said.