LIVE STOCK POSITION OF THE WORLD

Wairarapa Age, 24 March 1920, Page 7

LIVE STOCK POSITION OF THE WORLD

The report of Messrs Wright and Bell, who .have been investigating the live stock and meat trade situation in various countries on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture, has recently been published.

This states that the situation with respect to the total number of live stock in nino countries of Western Europe and the United" States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, considered as a whole, is very much the same as before the war. A comparison from the figures bliows that the total number of cattle in the fourteen countres increased approximately nine millions, wh.le the total number of sheep and swing, (figures for which are for thirteen countries, as recent data on sheep in Belgium and swine in Argentina are not available) decreased approximately two and a half millions and seven and a fourth millions respectively, which practically counterbalances the increase in cattle. This does not take into consideration the former empires of Austria-Hungary or Russia, nor the Balkan States, recent data regarding the number of animals in these countries not being available. The most important factor to be considered, the report goes on to say. however, is that the total numbers of cattle, sheep, and swine in the nine European countries have decreased, while the total numbers in other countries have increased. Cattle decreased a little more than.seven millions in the European ' countries, aind increased a little more than sixteen mil-

lionsan the oiher countries named. The loss in numbers of swine in the European countries amounted to approximately twenty-four and a half millions, aa compared with a gain of approximately seventeen and a half millions in other countries. The decl'ne of Bheep in the European countries was approximately seven and 3 half millions, and the increase in other countries approximately four and three-fourth millions.

Messrs Wright and Bell point out that while the shortage of live stock in Europe .may be felt in those countries for several years, it does not follow necessarily that importation of meat and lard equivalent to the difference between pre-war and immediate productipn .will be made while herds and flocks are be ; ng brought back to the old basis. The ability to buy, credits and exchange taxes, an I the needs for retrenchment undoubtedly are factors which will and must be considered.