FFNZ: Trout Ban Nonsensical and Unjustified

The ridiculous nature of the moratorium on the importation of Trout Flesh has again been highlighted with MAF regulations preventing trout being served at the annual Southland party at the Beehive, says Federated Farmer's President Tom Lambie.

"In 1999 MAF gave approval under the Biosecurity Act 1993 to permit the importation of headless, gilled and gutted trout for human consumption from certain countries, said Mr Lambie.

"Under considerable pressure from the fishing lobby the then Government as a temporary measure promulgated regulations to ban the importation of trout in commercial quantities.

"Successive Governments have not had the gumption to do what they know must rightly be done - revoke the ban and allow the importation of trout.

"The Federation's view has always been that the moratorium on trout imports is unjustified. While we agree that the recreational trout fishery is of cultural and economic value to New Zealand, we believe that the arguments put forward by the trout lobby fail to meet the exceptions allowed under WTO to restrict international trade and do not justify the import prohibition on trout.

"Federated Farmers believes that alternative policy measures to maintain the recreational value of trout are available. These may include controls on the sale of wild New Zealand trout, certification of imported trout and audit trails, and improved enforcement against poaching.

"The Federation continues to encourage the Government to remove this nonsensical and unjustified ban."

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