Written question asked by Lord Wills (Labour) on Monday, 14 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 March 2005. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 24 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications of the World Trade Organisation Appellate Body's decision on the Brazil-United States cotton case WT/DS267/AB/R for the eligibility of the Common Agricultural Policy's Single Payment Scheme as a green box measure as defined by the WTO.

Answer: Mr. Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of the World Trade Organisation appellate body's decision on the Brazil- United States cotton case WT/DS267/AB/R for the eligibility of the Common Agricultural Policy's single payment scheme as a green box measure as defined by the WTO. [222589] Alun Michael: The implications, if any, of the appellate body's ruling are not immediately apparent, not least because it does not set a directly applicable precedent under WTO law, and an individual case relating to the single payment scheme would be considered on its own merits. However, we will discuss further with the European Commission which has indicated that it will also be considering the implications of the ruling for the EU.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c934-5W; 222589
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Agriculture Trade Subsidies Common agricultural policy World Trade Organization
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk