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Re:Norwegian butter crisis (2011) by learnstats2 on Wednesday May 20, 2015 @05:41AM (#9575294)
Is that what is happening here? Maybe.

But, there's also a duty for governments to support national and local industries that are important for the country's long-term security.

Re:Norwegian butter crisis (2011) by derriz on Wednesday May 20, 2015 @03:04PM (#9578432)
That's one way of looking at it. Another way is that it constitutes a regressive tax on a life essential - food - for the sole benefit of a politically powerful minority lobby - food processors.

In the country of my birth, until about 50 years ago, the shoe-making industry was considered important - and the producers managed to convince the government that a tarrif on shoes would protect a vital national industry and all the associated jobs. And indeed it did; but the result is plain in photos from the era; most people wore old worn out shoes particularly the poor.

Personally I think to deprive the relatively poor of access to cheap foreign food/clothes/etc. to ensure a tiny segment of the population is "protected" is immoral. But the political power of industrialists in concert with labour unions is formiddable.

Re:Norwegian butter crisis (2011) by icebraining on Wednesday May 20, 2015 @06:19AM (#9575395)
Is the production of butter important for Norway's long-term security?
Re:Norwegian butter crisis (2011) by zyx321 on Wednesday May 20, 2015 @06:42AM (#9575457)
Possibly. At the very least, this story proves that the people do value a stable supply of butter. Norway is not in the EU, so why would they make themselves economically dependent on Sweden for everyday commodities?
Re:Norwegian butter crisis (2011) by icebraining on Wednesday May 20, 2015 @06:52AM (#9575483)
this story proves that the people do value a stable supply of butter

Yes. It also proves that the import restrictions threaten that stability.

why would they make themselves economically dependent on Sweden for everyday commodities?

To keep the stable supply that they are unable to maintain on their own, as this story shows. And why would they be dependent on Sweden? Would other countries refuse to export to Norway?

Re:Norwegian butter crisis (2011) by teekert on Wednesday May 20, 2015 @11:51AM (#9577128)
When Goods Don't Cross Borders, Armies Will ;)