HC Deb 25 November 2002 vol 395 cc43-4W
John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made to implement the International Coffee Organisation quality scheme of coffee imports. [80942]

Mr. Morley

The International Coffee Organisation's (ICO) Quality Improvement programme was approved by ICO Council Resolution 416 on 1 February 2002. The programme commenced on 1 October 2002. It applies to ICO members and requires that exports of coffee, accompanied by Certificates of Origin, shall comply with minimum standards specified in the Resolution. Exporting members are also required to develop and implement national measures to ensure that no exports of green coffee fail to meet the exportable standards. Discussions are currently on-going about how the exports of processed coffee should be dealt with. Exporting members are currently in the process of implementing the Council's Resolution within their countries. Members will report to the ICO Council on the measures they have taken to do so and of any difficulties encountered. This will feed into an ICO review of the programme planned for September 2003.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to remove lowest grade coffee from importing country stocks. [80943]

Mr. Morley

The international coffee organisation is looking at how importing member countries can become more directly involved in implementing its quality improvement programme. The organisation has not proposed the removal of the lowest grade coffee from importing country stocks and has no action in train to do so.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the US Government regarding membership of the International Coffee Organisation. [80944]

Mr. Morley

The UK supports the proposal for the USA to join the new International Coffee Agreement 2001. We believe this is necessary for the ICO to be fully effective. As members of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) the UK supported ICO Council Resolution 413, approved on 27 September 2002, inviting the USA to join.