VVD Europarty on-line

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1318/02
by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 April 2002)

Subject: Boycott of Dutch agricultural products by China in connection with meat conflict

Since 19 April China has been boycotting Dutch agricultural products in reaction to the destruction of eleven consignments of Chinese rabbit meat and fish in the port of Rotterdam. The reason for the destruction was that the products contained too much chloramphenicol, a carcinogen, to meet European standards.

Is the Commission aware of the boycott of Dutch agricultural products by China?

Does the Commission take the view that the Netherlands authorities were right to destroy eleven consignments of Chinese rabbit and fish in the port of Rotterdam, in accordance with European regulations?

Does China's boycott violate WTO rules? If so, what does the Commission propose to do about it?

Original language of question: NL
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