§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she has received a copy of the memorandum dated 26 March from the European Commission concerning imports of swietenia macrophylla from Brazil; and if she will make a statement. [50457]
§ Margaret BeckettWe received a copy of the memorandum of 26 March from the European Commission. This advice will be fully taken into account should another cargo of Brazilian mahogany arrive for clearance into the Community via the UK. We have also asked the Timber Trade Federation to advise their members not to import Brazilian mahagony until the present situation is clarified.