Sir, - I write to correct certain information in your article "Foreign lamb withdrawn after protest" (October 14th).
Under the World Trade Organisation bound agreement with the EU, New Zealand is entitled to export 226,700 tonnes of sheepmeat (lamb, mutton and goatmeat) to the EU each year. Within that, exports of lamb total around 170,000 tonnes per annum. Of that, just 0.01 per cent (20 tonnes) has been exported directly to Ireland over the first nine months of 1999.
It was, therefore, with some disappointment that we heard of the IFA's actions against New Zealand lamb in Dublin and Cork recently. As fellow sheepmeat exporters, New Zealand sympathises with Irish farmers' frustration at factors, largely outside their control, which have affected European markets for both of us. However, it is important to maintain perspective and not unfairly make New Zealand the scapegoat.
New Zealand provides a complementary supply of quality product which, together with Irish product, ensures the European consumer receives a year round supply of good quality lamb. Ultimately, we believe that it should be left to the consumer to choose their source of lamb. - Yours, etc.,
Tim Ritchie, General Manager Europe, Meat New Zealand, Brussels.