Dutch oppose N.Z. trade

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 3

Dutch oppose N.Z. trade

NZPA The Hague New Zealand is likely to face another long and drawn-out fight this year to extract a price increase from the European Community for its dairy products. The Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Taiboys) said [yesterday that he still hoped the application for the price ■ rise would be lodged with! I the European Commission in! Brussels before he got there* next week. He would not say what! the application would be. ! but did say it would be (along the lines of previous iapplications — that is, it) 'would take into account producers’ increased costs since' the last increase. The Dutch Minister of . Agriculture (Mr Alphons van der Stee), one of New Zea-j’ land’s determined opponents!: on dairy products, told Mr I] Taiboys yesterday he would it favour a “fair” increase for' New Zealand. i< His interpretation of whatjt is fair undoubtedly differs)! from New Zealand’s, how-1; ever. i European Ministers limit-t

* ed their own producers to only a 2.11 per cent increase > this year, and it is difficult! 1 to see their agreeing to give) > New Zealand a generous) i rise. i Mr van der Stee is against New Zealand’s being allowed > to send its Cheddar to Brit--1 ain again, because this is a I market Dutchmen want for 11themselves, but he did tell) HMr Taiboys he would wel-' i come a positive result on! * * dairy products from the Gatt! 'trade talks in Geneva, which! are scheduled to end on July! 15. I An agreement on cheese) in Geneva could allow New) Zealand back into the Brit- ■ )ish market, but could give) 'E.E.C. producers increased: access to the higher-priced) North American market. New Zealand at least has If jthe support of the Nether-) I lands in its opposition to the: : planned E.E.C. sheepmeat |v regulation. - a Most of the 17,000 tonnes), i of lamb the Netherlands pro- 1 , duces each year goes to then high-priced French market, jf and the Dutch fear that allregulation could erode that I y trade.