Written question asked by Cynog Dafis (Plaid Cymru) on Friday, 8 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 October 1999. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 October 1999 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he has consulted the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport, and the Regions, concerning the impact on rates of deforestation of the proposed elimination of tariffs on wood products.

Answer: Mr. Dafis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has consulted the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport, and the Regions, concerning the impact on rates of deforestation of the proposed elimination of tariffs on wood products. [94462] Mr. Caborn: The Government are very much seized of the importance of ensuring that trade liberalisation is consistent with sustainable development. My Department has been, and remains, in close consultation with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and other interested Departments on the range of environmental issues raised by the prospective new round of trade negotiations. With UK support, the European Commission is currently undertaking a sustainability impact assessment which will cover particular trade sectors, including forest products, likely to be included in the new round. This impact assessment will be used by the European Union to inform its negotiating position in the future trade negotiations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94462; 336 c453-4W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Forests EU action Import duties Protection Timber Common customs tariffs Forest products