HC Deb 13 April 1999 vol 329 cc93-4W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (i) representations he has received from and (ii) steps he is taking to support(a) the Scottish cashmere wool industry, (b) the United Kingdom pork industry and (c) United Kingdom candle manufacturing following the imposition of trade sanctions on such products by the Government of the United States of America. [79158]

Mr. Wilson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I received a number of letters and other representations on behalf of many of the sectors on the provisional US retaliation list, including cashmere knitwear, pork products and candles. We and the European Commission urged the US not to retaliate against industries that are completely unrelated to the issue under dispute. The Government also brought forward a scheme to guarantee the bonds requested by US Customs in respect of cashmere knitwear, produced both in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, in view of the highly seasonal nature of that industry.

These three sectors were all removed from the US retaliation list on 9 April. Whilst the removal of these and other sectors is very welcome, other industries remain targeted. The US is well aware of the harm which has already been caused to sectors on the list. There is now a fresh opportunity for the EU to work with the US and the other interested parties to avoid unnecessary damage to our industries and to our trade relations more generally. The UK Government will urge a swift resolution to this dispute in line with the EU's World Trade Organisation obligations and its responsibilities to African, Caribbean and Pacific suppliers.

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