New Zealand's citizens are virtually our kith and kin. Their dairy products have virtually always been available here in the U.K.

The NZ farmers rely on the EU, and Britain in particular as a market for their butter. This status as a supplier was "protected" by Britain at the point we entered the "Common Market" as it was called then.

This protection or no more, it seems.


from yesterday's Telegraph Newspaper

Anchor butter has fallen foul of the latest intervention by Peter Mandelson and has been banned under a European Union ruling.

The EU has suspended the import of all New Zealand butter after a decision that the current arrangements are "illegal". The Commonwealth country has been a leading exporter to the European market since it was given preferential access under Britain's negotiations to join the European Economic Community in 1973.

I am disgusted at these turn of events.

Full Story (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/07/16/nbutter16.xml)

Mr Mandelson needs a propper job to occupy his time.

I am disgusted at these turn of events.



Why should we eat butter that has travelled 13,000 miles anyway when it can be produced in Britain?

We even import onions from New Zealand - Onions! Hardly a tropical speciality that can't be grown here.

What next, importing rain from abroad..........hang about maybe thats not so daft....

Mr Mandelson needs a propper job to occupy his time.

I can't think of any job I'd trust him with.

I can't think of any job I'd trust him with.

bottom inspector ?

bottom inspector ?

Now now Nick....that was rather a low blow. There are all sorts of jokes about Brazilians I'm sure, but you managed to resist that.

bottom inspector ?
LOL... it's been so long since I read Viz. Is it funny at all these days? :)

Now now Nick....that was rather a low blow. There are all sorts of jokes about Brazilians I'm sure, but you managed to resist that.

I understand they are peter's favourite nuts

Sorry, resistance is my main weakness

I understand they are peter's favourite nuts
Sorry, has to be said.... fnarr fnarr.

There are all sorts of jokes about Brazilians I'm sure, but you managed to resist that.

I'm just trying to make one up now, the punchline has got something to do with picking hot wax of a Brazilian.

I can't think of any job I'd trust him with.wasnt he a disgrased ,sacked mp,now sneeks in through the backdoor,if you will forgive the expression and sticks his oar into anything that dont really concern him, typical tonyite,jobsworth

He now has more power than ever he did as a MP. And now he must act for Europe, not this country.

We never voted for him - he's one of Tony's cronies.