HL Deb 18 May 1993 vol 545 cc84-5WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the case that, in the event of the GATT being signed, they will be unable fully to control the pesticide residue in traded foodstuffs and, if this is so, they will refuse to sign until the provisions in question are altered.

Earl Howe

Under GATT proposals individual countries will remain free to set their own limits for pesticide residues but, in the event of a trade dispute, would have to convince a panel of experts that it was necessary, in a particular case, to set a more rigorous limit than the recognised international standard set by the UN FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.

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