HC Deb 10 March 1999 vol 327 cc264-5W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish those parts of the World Trade Agreement that prevent the United Kingdom, or any member state of the European Community from restricting the import of foodstuffs from the United States of America, solely on the grounds of their genetically modified character; the date and place when the agreement was concluded; the names and status of those persons negotiating and signing that agreement on behalf of the United Kingdom; and when that part relating to the import of such foods was considered by Parliament. [73723]

Mr. Wilson

Approval of genetically modified foodstuffs for importation into the EU is governed by EU legislation, specifically the Novel Foods Regulation (258/97/EC). The principles of this Regulation adhere to the WTO Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, which recognises the right of members to take measures necessary for the protection of human, animal or plant health but requires that any trade measures are based on scientific principles and are not maintained without sufficient scientific evidence. This agreement formed part of the WTO Agreement which concluded the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations on 15 December 1993. The WTO Agreement was negotiated by the European Commission in consultation with EC member states under the provisions of the EC Treaties. The Agreement was signed on behalf of the United Kingdom by Mr. Tim Sainsbury in Marrakesh on 15 April 1994. Under the Ponsonby rule, the Agreement was laid before Parliament in May 1994 and debated on 14 June 1994, Official Report, columns 521–601. The United Kingdom's instrument of Ratification to the WTO Agreement was deposited with the GATT Legal Adviser on 30 December 1994. For the EC, the WTO Agreement was accepted by means of a Council decision and assent given by the European Parliament. The Agreement entered into force on 1 January 1995. The main WTO Agreement was published as Treaty Series No. 57 of 1996 (Cm 3277), and the Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as No. 54 of 1996 (Cm 3275). The UK's certified copy of the WTO Agreement resides in the Public Record Office.