Federated Farmers Welcomes WTO Lamb Decision

02 May 2001 PR 56/2001

Federated Farmers Welcomes WTO Lamb Decision

Federated Farmers Chief Executive Tony St. Clair has welcomed the decision by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Appellate Body to uphold the decision made by the WTO expert panel that found the United States had breached international trade rules by imposing tariff quotas on New Zealand and Australian lamb imports.

"This is excellent news for New Zealand farmers and meat exporters. I must congratulate the Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Jim Sutton, and officials from Meat New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the effort they have put into this issue," said Mr St. Clair.

"This case highlights the importance of the WTO and the framework it provides for international trade."

"New Zealand farmers will be looking to Bush Administration to implement the findings of the WTO Appellate Body as speedily as possible."

"The US market holds enormous potential for both the American and New Zealand sheep industries. Americans consume an average of just 450gms of lamb per year. I am confident that there is room for growth in this market for both New Zealand and American lamb," concluded Mr St. Clair.

ENDS

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