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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the revision of the generalised system of preferences. [148517] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme has traditionally operated for a series of 10-year periods. While we are currently in the cycle for 1995-2004, revisions of the current scheme were agreed at the end of 2003. Details of these revisions can be found in Official Journal of the EU of 19 December 2003 and 31 December 2003 (Council Regulations No. 2211/2003 and 2331/2003 respectively). The main change was a one-year rollover, with amendments to the graduation criteria. This revised GSP scheme is therefore due to end on 31 December 2005. Proposals for a new GSP scheme will need to be agreed by 31 December 2004, thus providing EU importers with 12 months' notice to plan for changes to duty rates. The Commission has indicated its intention to begin the renegotiation process of the EU GSP scheme early this year through regular working party meetings once initial proposals have been published. Officials from my Department will lead on the consultation across Whitehall and industry and, together with colleagues from the UK's Permanent Representation to the EU, make representations on behalf of the UK at these working party meetings. The proposals will be cleared through Parliament by Explanatory Memoranda in the usual way.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

416 c1032W;416 c1030W; 148517

Session

2003-04

Subjects

EU external trade Generalised system of preferences Preferential tariffs

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk