1.   American lamb producers seeking protection from Australian and New Zealand exports have brought their economic troubles on themselves, Trade Minister Tim Fischer said Wednesday.

2.   Australian lamb producers were being punished simply for succeeding and he described the U.S. decision as hypocritical.

3.   Australian lamb producers began Sunday what they say will be a one-month picket of the United States embassy in Canberra to protest U.S. lamb import restrictions.

4.   In reality, the impact of the U.S. decision on Australian lamb producers may be marginal.

5.   Sue Esserman, another U.S. deputy trade representative, said the United States was entitled under World Trade Organization rules to provide temporary protection for its lamb producers.

6.   The Australian government argues that U.S. lamb producers are the cause of the problems in the industry.

7.   Trade Minister Tim Fischer, a rancher himself, has hinted that U.S. lamb producers have largely brought their troubles on themselves.