HC Deb 11 November 1999 vol 337 cc724-5W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on the world's forests of steps to reduce and eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to the trade in wood products. [98072]

Mr. Byers

With UK support, the European Commission is currently undertaking a Sustainability Impact Assessment of the new Round of trade negotiations within the WTO which are due to be launched at the third Ministerial meeting in Seattle (30 November to 3 December). This study will consider the range of possible sustainability impacts in trade sectors likely to be affected by the Round, including forest products, and will be used to help inform the UK and EU position on this issue.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the impact on the world's forests of steps to reduce and eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to the trade in wood products. [98073]

Mr. Byers

The Department has issued a consultation document on UK priorities for tariff reductions in the new Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Replies have been received from a number of interested parties including those concerned with forest preservation and those representing trade in forestry products.