HC Deb 24 May 1989 vol 153 c523W
Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in theOfficial Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 22 May.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The Foreign Affairs Council met in Brussels on 22 May. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State represented the United Kingdom in the Council and at an EC-Israel Co-operation Council later on the same day.

The council reviewed progress in the Community's negotiations with Poland on a trade and co-operation agreement and agreed on the need for further flexibility in the Community position. In particular, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State pressed for a Community proposal on phasing out quantitative restrictions, which took full account of Polish reform efforts, and for early help with management training. The Commission introduced its draft mandate for negotiations with the USSR on a trade and co-operation agreement and the council agreed to consider it further at its next meeting in June.

The council discussed the Community's trade relations with the United States. Progress on resolving the dispute over hormones in meat, and setting up GATT panels on soya and sugar, was noted. The council expressed its concern over the implementation of section "Super 301" of the 1988 United States Trade Act, and reaffirmed its intention to refer to GATT any United States action affecting the Community which might appear to be in breach of GATT obligations.

The council discussed a proposal to complete the annex to the council regulation adopted in December 1987 laying down maximum levels of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs and of feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or other radiological emergency. A related proposal on the special conditions applying to exports of foodstuffs and feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident was also discussed.

The Commission reported on the progress in the renegotiation of the Lomé convention and on preparations for the next EC-ACP ministerial meeting in Brussels on 3–5 June.

The council adopted conclusions on the renegotiation of the international coffee agreement which will form the basis of the Community's position at the special session of the International Coffee Council in London on 5–9 June.