The international dimension
It is particularly desirable for the European Community to join the Codex Alimentarius. However, careful consideration must be given to how this can be achieved without substantial loss of voting rights and influence.
We consider it problematic to prohibit the export of non-compliant products to states that have not yet introduced a reasonable level of protection or whose protection level is lower. The question of whether one level of protection is higher or lower than another is likely to give rise to extensive discussions that will generally lead to no firm conclusion.
We are thus of the opinion that a provision analogous to § 50 of the German LMBG would be appropriate here. Products that are subject to, and fulfil, different requirements in the destination country must be exportable. Otherwise the existence of contradictory provisions would a priori make the free movement of goods impossible. Such requirements would otherwise be predestined to constitute serious obstacles to exports and to seriously erode the competitive strength of the European food industry.
