Examination of Witnesses (Questions 680-682)
MS KAREN
BUCK MP AND
MR DAVID
MCMILLAN
1 FEBRUARY 2006
Q680 Chairman: Minister, we need
from you a note on what is happening up to date with the EU/US
negotiations. Is that possible?
Ms Buck: Yes, certainly.
Q681 Chairman: Is there any progress
at all to report, Mr McMillan, or are we still swimming in the
broad and hopeful sea of mud that most European negotiations seem
to represent?
Mr McMillan: The fact of the matter
on this case is that there has been some progress in as much as
there was quite a successful round of negotiations led by the
European Commission with Member State representation with the
Americans before Christmas. What it all hangs on now is to see
to what extent the American administration is able to deliver
effective access to the US market and, as you probably know, there
is a proposed rule-making process in place and we await the result
of that with some interest.
Q682 Chairman: And you are going
to give us a little detailed note on that?
Mr McMillan: Indeed, yes.
Chairman: Minister, you have been, as
always, very helpful, and very patient. Doubtless we shall meet
again. Thank you very much.
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