End of the World?

[RoadKingLarry]

So now they are smuggling butter out of Russia.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2011/12/12/norway-butter-shortage-threatens-christmas-treats

What is this world coming to? Norway needs indispensable products smuggled in from Russia.
Anyone with a cow or goat can make their own butter, and cash in at $500 a lb. sheesh.

[MechAg94]

If there is a shortage like this, you can almost guarantee it is due to:
1.  Taxes
2.  Regulations (internal and external)
3.  or Both. 

#3 is most likely. 

[HankB]

Our customs agents look for illegal aliens, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, while Norway's look for . . . butter.   

You can't make this stuff up . . .

[Lee]

Supply not keeping up with demand.  Those N. European countries really protect their local dairy producers from imports.  Sounds like production was down due to a rainy year, demand was up by 30% and imports are probably non existent.   

[Jamie B]

Live by protectionist legislation, die by protectionist legislation. 

[Perd Hapley]

Live by protectionist legislation, die eat dry toast by protectionist legislation. 

[Viking]

So now they are smuggling butter out of Russia.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2011/12/12/norway-butter-shortage-threatens-christmas-treats

What is this world coming to? Norway needs indispensable products smuggled in from Russia.
Anyone with a cow or goat can make their own butter, and cash in at $500 a lb. sheesh.

Norway is just a couple of hours away from me. And no butter shortage here .

[AJ Dual]

Monkeyleg, Cosine, and Brimic...

I have a business proposition to discuss. 

[Regolith]

If there is a shortage like this, you can almost guarantee it is due to:
1.  Taxes
2.  Regulations (internal and external)
3.  or Both. 

#3 is most likely. 

Basically. A coop called Tine has a near-monopoly on dairy products in Norway, and Norwegian dairies are protected from outside competition by high tariffs on imported dairy products.

[Scout26]

Our Viking does have a smuggling background and has nothing but time on his hands.... 

[AJ Dual]

Our Viking does have a smuggling background and has nothing but time on his hands.... 

Yes,

And between the Wisconsin and Illinois residents, we know a little something about butter (and butter substitute) smuggling.

[Harold Tuttle]

Im thinking a Wisconsin sub orbital butter driver

[Tallpine]

Butter stock up while you still can.

[RevDisk]

Our Viking does have a smuggling background and has nothing but time on his hands.... 

I'm imagining Viking snorting lines of imitation creamer used to cut the goods, while blowing up his illicit dairy funded mansion with an M203, while dairy product cooperative operatives with cheap automatics are being cut down in droves.

[Viking]

Two Swedish guys got arrested by Norwegian customs after trying to bring in quarter of a ton of butter to Norway. They had planned on selling it for $100 per kilogram. I'm sure there are small roads to Norway where there aren't any customs officers:laugh: .

[Perd Hapley]

Can Norwegian butter junkies claim asylum in the E.U.?

[Tallpine]

I'm sure there are small roads to Norway where there aren't any customs officers

So, you know another whey     

[MechAg94]

Basically. A coop called Tine has a near-monopoly on dairy products in Norway, and Norwegian dairies are protected from outside competition by high tariffs on imported dairy products.

My mistake.  I did forget to include monopoly or lack of competition.  I was thinking more about local regulations that prevent more dairies from opening or existing ones from expanding.  Having a near monopoly and lots of tariff protection means you have a bunch of producers who like the idea of shortages so they can charge more. 

[Gowen]

My daughter said to write, "how can you tell if an elephant has been in your refrigerator?....  By the foot prints in the butter!"  The only joke she knows and she tells it often.

[Azrael256]

How can you tell if there's an elephant in the bath with you?


--You can smell the peanuts on his breath.