HC Deb 12 January 1987 vol 108 c5W
Sir Fergus Montgomery

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on recent progress to remove trading barriers in the European Community.

Mr. Alan Clark

During the United Kingdom presidency—July–December 1986—the Council adopted or agreed 48 individual measures which will help remove barriers to trade in the Community. This represents a substantial acceleration in progress towards completing the internal market.

Details of 41 of the measures were given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor), Official Report, 19 December 1986, cols 765–768. The following measures were agreed before the end of the presidency:

Antidioxides Amendment to Antioxidents Directive.Public Procurement (Supplies)Improvements to the EC Supplies Directives, specifying rules for the award of public sector supplies contracts.Information Technology and Telecommunications StandardsUse of European standards for public purchases when buying IT and telecommunication equipment.Noise of hydraulic excavators, dozers and loadersDirective setting noise limits for hydraulic diggers and excavators.Energy LabellingAgreement on tolerance levels to be applied in checks on energy labels.Live animals of the bovine species: amended eradication directives to provide for the final eradication of tuberculosis, brucellosis and leucosis in all Member States including Portugal and SpainDirective extending EC funding to accelerate schemes for the eradication of tuberculosis, brucellosis and leucosis.Amendment to Directives 72/461/EEC and 72/462/EECAmends Directive on animal health on imports of fresh meat to facilitate imports of animal organs, blood etc.