just to maintain things on a factual rather than emotional basis, i think mr
patton will also find that in the uruguay round of gatt negotiations
phytosanitary (ie biosecurity) reasons for import control are permissible.
all such controls (from every country) were tabled & came under the public
scrutiny of ALL interested parties (including the watchful eye of the us dept
of ag). nz's controls were found in NO WAY to be a non-tarrif barrier to
trade. in fact, in terms of production subsidies, import controls & export
subsidies nz was found to have the LOWEST (ALMOST NIL) protections for
agriculture of any country in the round.
 
now.... can we please get onto some constructive discussions....
 
Mark Horsnell,
Auckland, New Zealand
 
Tel & Fax: 64-9-846-5644
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Eat a live toad the first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen
to you the rest of the day.