§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has of infringements of the general agreement on tariffs and trade by Japan in relation to quantitative restrictions, licences, and other methods of protecting the Japanese tanning industry.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIn May 1984, the GATT Council adopted a report which found that quantitative restrictions applied by Japan to imports of leather were nullifying or impairing benefits accruing to other contracting parties under GATT. In accordance with the GATT Council decision, Japan eliminated these quantitative restrictions on 1 April, while introducing a tariff quota system. The Community has reluctantly accepted the new arrangements in the course of negotiations with Japan in GATT. The tariff quota offers British and Community exporters improving access to the Japanese market for at least five years. We hope that the arrangements will be further improved in future.