US lamb tariffs hot topic for delegates

By PHILIPPA STEVENSON

Representatives of the American sheep-farmer organisation whose efforts led to a $30 million penalty on New Zealand lamb exports to the United States are promised a warm reception on a visit next month.

The president of the American Sheep Industry Association, Cindy Siddoway, will head a delegation that will meet its sheep-farming counterparts from New Zealand and Australia, which was also penalised by the American action.

Transtasman farmers remain furious that tariffs and quota restrictions were applied to their exports, viewing them as protection for an uncompetitive and outdated American industry that has done nothing to boost the tiny level of lamb consumption in the US.

Both countries have appealed to the World Trade Organisation to overturn the penalty decision made by President Bill Clinton.

In something of an understatement, Meat New Zealand deputy chairman Jeff Grant said he would be surprised if the US safeguard action did not come up during the May meeting.

However, this was not what the meeting was about and the visit was welcomed as a chance to build on long-standing contacts between the two organisations.

"We want to grasp this opportunity to get to know our fellow- producers ... and improve the level of mutual understanding between them and their counterparts in New Zealand and Australia."

The delegation's visit will coincide with a conference of the World Textile Organisation in Christchurch. A "round table" meeting of sheep producers from all three countries on May 3 is designed to exchange views and information on industry structures, trends and related market issues.