Introduction Products such as beef, mutton, and chicken have become regular staples in the diet of billions of people around the world and as such they command a significant level of consumer demand however just like any product various external influences can result in a dramatic shift in their prices especially if their means of production are directly affected. Today, the prices of beef, chicken and mutton have invariably changed compared to what they were several decades ago. While it may be true that salaries have also risen along with the prices of certain goods the fact remains that modern means of agricultural production have greatly improved since the early to mid 1900’s resulting in a far more efficient and faster means of raising cattle, sheep and chicken. One basic economic principle dictates that demand should match supply in order for the most efficient means of production and distribution to occur. Lately various statistical data has shown that the amount of supply created (beef, chicken, mutton) actually exceeds the amount of demand in cases with large excesses of production. One example of this can be seen in the various countries of the E.U. due to the CARP (common agricultural policy) which has helped in creating an overabundance of certain agricultural products (beef, mutton and chicken included). Despite this factor, prices of beef, chicken and mutton have not been going lower and in fact there is a growing trend of significant increases in their prices especially in developing and third world countries. This indicates that other factors are at work in affecting the prices of these products since despite the abundance of supply prices have not been going and instead have been increasing. Understanding Tariffs, Protectionist policies and their effect on the importation of beef, mutton and chicken It is a well known fact that when it comes to producing certain goods or services some countries are better at it than others. A truly ideal situation would if countries focused on what they are best at making and not produce anything else. Unfortunately various countries tend to diversify their production capabilities in order to remain, in their words, “economically competitive” when in fact their production of a plethora of various goods is not as efficient as producing what they are good at and taking the methods of production of that particular commodity to their zenith. Various countries have their own agricultural means of raising cattle, sheep and chicken however due to their limited capacity in doing so there remains a distinct necessity to import such products from other countries in order to make up for the lack of supply. The inherent problem with this is that most countries tend to erect protectionist policies such as limiting the amount of beef, chicken or mutton being imported into the country or imposing strict tariffs which increase the price of such products. Such measures are done in order to protect local industries from being overwhelmed by cheap foreign imports. Mentioned earlier was the fact that some countries are basically better at producing a certain type of product as compared to others. As such the overall prices of goods that are produced c