HC Deb 26 July 1999 vol 336 c140W
Sir Richard Body

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he has to invoke Article 36 of the Treaty of Rome to restrict the importation of pigmeat; and if he will make a statement. [92429]

Mr. Rooker

In certain circumstances, Article 30 (ex Article 36) of the Treaty allows the maintenance of restrictions on the free movement of goods where these can be justified for the protection of the health and life of humans or animals or on the grounds of public morality or policy. However, it is clear from Rulings by the European Court of Justice that we cannot use Article 30 to impose higher UK standards on imports where EU law has been harmonised as it has been in the case of both pigmeat and farm animal welfare.

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