I shall be in Hong Kong before Christmas
at the WTO ministerial
It has been a busy autumn in the European Parliament. As the Conservative
Trade spokesman I deal with issues such as the textile dispute
with China, the World Trade Organisation negotiations and the reform
of the sugar sector.
Like a lot of things that are discussed in the EU these sound
very distant from everyday life but in fact have an impact on what
we find in Tesco or Marks & Spencer. Quotas on imports of clothes
from China threatened shortages of bras, trousers and pullovers
for Christmas and we have been working very hard to find ways to
allow cheap Chinese goods into the UK in a way that does not destroy
competition.
The eastern region produces more sugar beet than anywhere else
in the UK. I have been backing our producers across the country,
who due to the Governments plans to redistribute their compensation,
stand to lose out compared to competitors.
Before Christmas I shall be in Hong Kong leading the Parliament's
delegation at the WTO Ministerial. Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson
will be representing the EU on behalf of all member states so I
will be trying to ensure that British concerns, as well as those
of the world's poorest countries, do not get lost in the tangle
of interests that will be discussed.
If you would like to contact me regarding anything I've mentioned,
or another area, please get in touch:
