§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the outcome of her discussions with the Minister of Agriculture on the likely development effects of the European Chocolate Directive; and if she will make a statement. [39961]
§ Mr. FoulkesConsultations between the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—the lead department—continue. The Government are ensuring that development concerns are carefully weighed in the preparation of a UK line; this reflects the importance attached to policy coherence in the recently published UK Government White Paper on International Development.
The Government believe that there are significant uncertainties over the possible effects of the proposed Directive on developing countries. Long-run development strategies should be built on helping developing countries to respond to shifts in demand patterns for their products, rather than locking them into the status quo.