§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations have taken place between his Department and the European Economic Community Commission about its draft proposals on the production and marketing of agricultural products and foodstuffs obtained without the use of synthetic chemicals; and what United Kingdom bodies he intends to consult when such proposals are submitted to the European Economic Community Council.
§ Mr. MacleanSince 1987 my officials have attended five meetings in Brussels with representatives of the Commission of the European Community and other member states held to discuss a succession of draft proposals put forward by the Commission on the production and marketing of organic foods. On a further occasion in October 1988 my officials hosted a meeting in London, attended by a representative of the Commission and by the Chairman of the United Kingdom Register or Organic Food Standards (UKROFS), in order to explain to the Commission progress towards establishing 961W UKROFS standards. After the UKROFS standards were announced on 2 May 1989 copies were sent by my officials to the Commission.
Once the Commission's own proposals are submitted to the Council of Ministers it is my intention that, so far as is practical, there shall be detailed consultations with the UKROFS board and with a wide range of bodies representing the producers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and consumers of organic foods.