NZ seeks new butter rules

The Government is pressing the European Commission to have new regulations in place for New Zealand butter before the end of September, Trade Minister Phil Goff says.

If that was not possible, the Government would look for an "interim solution" that covered the rest of the quota year "rather than have a new permanent regulation imposed that does not maintain the rights we have under the trade agreement".

"Either way we are pressing the commission to ensure our interests are fully protected," Goff said.

New Zealand has preferential access to Europe for dairy products - dating from when Britain, its traditional customer, joined the European Economic Community.

But the butter imports to Europe were temporarily suspended after a European Court of Justice ruling on quota regulations.

- NZPA