IMPACT ON ANIMAL WELFARE OF THE GATT/WTO

Early day motion 156, tabled 11 January 1999 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 82 members.

That this House is concerned that the GATT/WTO poses growing problems to the introduction of improved standards of animal welfare; is dismayed that fears of GATT challenges have led to the EU severely diluting two of its key animal protection measures, the ban of the import of furs from countries using the leghold trap and the prohibition on the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals; fears that the GAT/WTO will increasingly deter the EU from introducing new animal protection measures as while the EU can under the GATT prohibit the use of a cruel rearing system within its own territory, it cannot prohibit the import of products derived from animals subjected to that system; believes that the GATT must be reformed to allow other legitimate considerations such as animal welfare to take an equal place alongside trade liberalisation; and urges Her Majesty's Government to take the lead in persuading our EU partners and the other WTO contracting parties of the need to bring to an end the GATT/WTO's detrimental impact on attempts to secure improved standards of animal welfare.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 20, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 2.