HC Deb 10 June 1993 vol 226 cc309-10W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the implications for food standards and for food standards regulations in the EC and in the United Kingdom of GATT proposals concerning the UN FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius.

Mrs. Shephard

Under the terms of the proposed GATT Uruguay round agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, any trade restriction imposed in conformity with internationally agreed standards such as the UN FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius shall automatic-ally be considered to be consistent with GATT rules. This shall not prevent the imposition of tighter standards where they are scientifically justified.