Peter Bray said:

> New Zealand has also been through this...

> End point testing (analysis of every shipment of honey) is
> allowable, probably cheaper, but still uneconomic.

Is this "residue monitoring program" a requirement imposed
only by the EU, or are such plans consistent with WTO SPS
rules as valid ways for all WTO members to assure food safety
and biosecurity?

I recall quite a bit of honey that had to be recalled and/or
intercepted at port of entry due to contaminants over the
past few years, so I don't think that all WTO member nations
currently enjoy similar protection against contaminated food.

One would also have to ask pointed questions about the
effectiveness of any "self-certification" scheme in light
of the recent confirmation of extensive trans-shipment
conspiracies to mask the origin of honey.

It seems that only the honest are burdened with the expense
and effort of "monitoring".  The dishonest clearly have no
trouble creating false documents good enough to deceive the
customs services of multiple countries.

> In NZ we put a voluntary levy on all product going to the EU
> and the cost of the levy pays for the running of the system.
> But it financially encourages selling to other markets.

If this is not required for all your exports, but only for your
exports to the EU, how is this extra cost not a de-facto tariff
on imports imposed by the EU?

How is this not a generalized policy of blatant protectionism,
wrapped in the white doctor's coat of "consumer safety and health"?

> One might consider this is all a conspiracy against
> the US by the EU...

The US market share for honey exports to the EU is too small
to justify any such "conspiracy".  A mere $1.2 million (in annual
US honey exports) just happens to equal the exact amount donated
by the Boeing aircraft company for the World War II memorial.
http://www.wwiimemorial.com/archives/newsletters/Winter1999.pdf

Not many people still remember World War II, so they are building
memorials.  Back then, Europe was buried in rubble and the bodies
of young men from far-away places like the USA and New Zealand,
and was much less restrictive about food shipments from the US.

So, what can one say that the EU would understand?

I stumbled across an appropriate tool for dealing with such
situations:

  http://www.defectiveyeti.com/images/pirate.jpg

The "pirate keyboard".  Perfect for communicating with both
individuals and rouge nations who have hoisted the Jolly Roger,
and are ignoring the more traditional and ethical approaches.


                        jim

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-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
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