Meat Board to form company

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 4

Meat Board to form company

PA Wellington The Meat Board is expected to announce the formation of an investment company at the conclusion of its two-day monthly meeting in Wellington today. The move would be designed to give farmers a share in meat marketing now that meat companies have regained control of lamb and mutton exports. The board relinquished its monopoly on December 21 after asserting that Government meddling meant it was unable to sell meat in New Zealand’s interests. -

Secrecy has veiled the board’s plan but its company, Freesia Meats,

would be chaired by the Meat Industry Association’s chairman, Mr Reid Jackson, according to the Wellington newspaper, the “Dominion.” The Wool Board’s new managing director, Mr Bernie Kowles, and the Alliance Textiles manager, Mr Farquhar McKenzie, were also said to be among the company’s eight directors, four of whom would be board members. The Board’s chief executive, Mr Jim Bremner, said Freesia Meats would be an investment company. Industry observers said Freesia Meats was more likely to buy into an exist-

ing company or group of exporters than to buy its own freezing works. Mr Bremner said the company’s directors would decide what shape its involvement in meat marketing would take but they would need final approval from the board. The directors of Freesia Meats would hold their first meeting next week, he said.

The board is considering creating an administrative bureau for meat exporters. Mr Bremner said it had not yet decided whether this commercial agency would come under the wing of Freesia Meats. ‘4 ■ ?