SA: Rann to join fight against lamb tariffs

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-1999
SA: Rann to join fight against lamb tariffs

The South Australian opposition will ask the World Trade Organisation to investigate fully
the recent move by the United States to impose higher tariffs on Australian lamb.

Opposition leader MICHAEL RANN says he'll do what he can to ensure Australia's voice is
heard loud and clear on trade issues affecting our meat and agricultural exports.

Mr RANN is a close friend of new World Trade Organisation director general and former New
Zealand Prime Minister MIKE MOORE.

He says Australian lamb producers developed their markets in the US without government
support.

But, he says, on top of the 40 per cent tariff for above quota imports, Australian lamb
producers now face an increased tariff for imports within the 1998 quota.

Mr RANN says he supports Australia's decision to take the issue to the World Trade
Organisation.

He says the US continually preaches to Australia about liberalising trade rules but then
imposes unilateral tariffs against Australian lamb exports.

AAP RTV tjd/jms/rat

KEYWORD: US LAMB RANN (ADELAIDE)

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