Trade in Wood Products

HL Deb 11 November 1999 vol 606 c195WA

Lord Beaumont of Whitley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend, in the interest of preserving the world's forests, to oppose the proposals at the next meeting of the World Trade Organisation to reduce or eliminate barriers to the trade in wood products; and, if not, why not. [HL4648]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government are calling for the launch of a comprehensive round of multilateral trade negotiations, allowing for negotiations across a wide range of areas. The Government shares concerns to avoid deforestation, but are not convinced that tariffs on timber are the most effective approach to prevent deforestation. The European Commission is currently undertaking a sustainability impact assessment of trade sectors likely to be affected by the round, including forest products, and this will be used to help inform the UK and EU position on the issue.