HC Deb 28 June 1979 vol 969 cc329-30W
Mr. Body

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list the non-tariff barriers as designated by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade that exist against food imports from Third world countries into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Wiggin

These are as follows:

  1. (a) Imports of meat and of certain meat-based products are subject to animal and public health conditions designed to prevent the introduction of important human and animal diseases.
  2. (b) Imports of grain, fruit and vegetables are subject to plant health conditions designed to prevent the introduction of important plant diseases and pests.
  3. (c) Imports of certain categories of fish are restricted in the interests of conservation or fish health.
  4. (d) Imports of bananas are subject to quota restrictions designed to afford prefer- 330 ence for supplies from the Commonwealth Caribbean States.
In general, imported food is required to be sound, wholesome and fit for human consumption.