Moore unfazed by E.C. negotiations

Press, 2 May 1988, Page 1

Moore unfazed by E.C. negotiations

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter

“Busier than bricklayers in Beirut” was how the Minister of Overseas Trade, Mr Moore, yesterday described the trade mission to Europe by him and the Prime Minister, Mr Lange. Mr Moore's light-hearted opening comment on his return to Wellington yesterday was a marked contrast to reports that Mr Lange had left Europe feeling downcast about pressure to cut New Zealand’s butter and lamb exports. He said the positions adopted by some membera of the European Community were part of the “pre-negotiation war dance” before settling New Zealand’s butter export quota. “I did not leave in a downcast mood. I have been there 20 times. I am not surprised at all

by the predictability of the positions,” he said. Mr Moore said a suggestion that New Zealand reduce its sheepmeat exports to Europe, in return for higher prices, had not been raised officially by European Community commissioners or members of any Cabinet. “It has been hinted by one or two more junior bureaucrats,” he said. New Zealand had agreed to look at the proposal but doubted it would work, as sheepmeat was very price-sensitive. However, Mr Moore said New Zealand refused to accept any linkage between exports of different products, such as butter and sheepmeat, or butter and apples. Nor does he accept that New Zealand’s case for continued butter exports to Britain is com-

ing to an end. It was protected under Protocol 18, signed when Britain joined the European Community. Mr Moore also rejected suggestions that New Zealand might be forced to accede to a cut in quota from 74,500 tonnes to about 50,000 tonnes. “I will never accept that.” No figures had been suggested by European Commissioners, he said. New Zealand will continue its case for continued butter access with a visit to Europe this week by the chairman of the Dairy Board, Mr Jim Graham. Mr Moore said three more visits to Europe by Cabinet Ministers were likely before August, when a new butter proposal is due. “I have only come home to get the dry-cleaning done,” he said.