Minister of Trade and industry Pinchas Sapir threatened last night to withdraw the government representation on the Israel Citrus Marketing Board and end the government’s cooperation with the board unless the latter reconsidered its latest refusal to use boxes manufactured in Israel by an American concern for the shipment of ten percent of its fruit.
This is the latest in a series of developments which dates back many years. The boxes are manufactured by Cargal, a plant owned by Sam Dubiner, an American. The citrus board, which has a long record of feuding with Cargal, asserts that its cartons and boxes are not strong enough to protect exported citrus fruit. However, over the years, Cargal has exported millions of crates to Spain, Italy, Portugal and Africa for citrus growers.
Recently, after lengthy negotiations, the Israeli growers board agreed to use Cargal boxes for 10 percent of their total export crop. Last week, it reversed itself. Mr. Sapir denounced this action as “breach of contract and deception of the public,” threatening to withdraw all government cooperation unless the 10 percent agreement was reinstated.
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