§ Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he anticipates imports of frozen beef from Australia and New Zealand will be substantially less in the year 1967–68 than they were in 1966–67; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartMost of the 1967–68 period has now elapsed and I do not expect that arrivals recorded in February and March will significantly alter my forecast. The forecast that imports of frozen beef from Australia and New Zealand will be less 225W than in 1966–67, can, therefore, be virtually confirmed. Clearly, the level of purchases from Australia and New Zealand, or from any source, normally depends on commercial decisions taken by the traders concerned in the light of many factors, including the supplies available, given the attractions of alternative markets. In the case of these two countries, the United States of America in particular has for some time been a profitable alternative outlet for their frozen beef.