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PRESS RELEASE
14th March 2000

DUFF WELCOMES COMMON SENSE VICTORY FOR BRITISH CHOCOLATE IN EUROPE

European MPs in Strasbourg tomorrow (Wednesday) are expected to give their backing to plans which allow the sale of British chocolate throughout Europe-beating off a last-ditch bid by Belgian and French interests to frustrate the move.

At the heart of the long-running debate has been the definition of 'chocolate'. Belgian and French manufacturers, whose chocolate is made almost entirely of cocoa butter, have argued that British chocolate is a form of flavoured vegetable oil.

Now a compromise has been confirmed that will permit the sale of British chocolate under the label 'Family Milk Chocolate'.

Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for Eastern England, has welcomed this as;

"A victory for the consumer and for common sense".

Mr Duff added:

"Consumers across Europe will now have the choice to decide for themselves what sort of chocolate they want to buy.

"No-one disputes that Belgian chocolate is a wonderful luxury product, but no-one makes such a wide variety of chocolate bars in so many different shapes as the British, which is why more chocolate is eaten here than anywhere in Europe."

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Andrew's work
in the European Parliament since 1999

Andrew is Vice-President of the European Parliament delegation to the Constitutional Convention on the Future of Europe.

Rights for EU citizens

Andrew drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights which has strengthened the rights of all the citizens of the European Union.

Turkey

Andrew is working for improved links between the EU and Turkey, to encourage improvements in Turkey's human rights record and to enhance its democracy.

Andrew's campaigning in the East of England

Airport Expansion

Andrew has led calls for the Air Travel industry to be subjected to the same rigorous environmental criteria as other modes of transport