Kath,

You probably don't grow hybrid Phals. The Taiwan growers seem to have the
really good stuff. Their breeding and cloning programs are providing truly
leading edge products that don't seem to be available anywhere else.
However, I don't buy from Taiwan but from the USA growers that import their
plants. This is a bad thing? I am constantly on the prowl (via the WWW)
for domestic growers offering stem props of their good stuff. OK, I know
that I am highly selective in what I purchase but I WILL get it from those
who can sell it to me. If domestic growers provide a superior product, I
will buy theirs. If plants from Taiwan become more expensive because
Hawaiian growers get some sort of "protection" I will still buy the plants I
want - not something inferior from a protected grower.

David


"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:3LSWc.85009$TI1.27882@attbi_s52...
I see it as protecting US small business. One of my friends has been
involved with the Taiwan side of this article and sees it as efficient
markets. If you can't compete then you should fold. Well, I always sided
with Old Fezziwig in 'A Christmas Carol' when he said it wasn't for money
alone that one builds up a business, but to protect a way of life. Of
course you know what happened to Fezziwig. Scrooge and Marley bought him
out for pennies on the dollar and put him out of business.

K Barrett
What will the next generation do with all those Harleys and RVs when we
baby
boomers are dead and gone?