A world Trade Organisation dispute panel has found against the EU’s banana import regime

Date: 20/03/1997

which gives preferential status to former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific region. An interim report from the panel came down in favour of a complaint from the US and four Latin American countries that the regime discriminates against their companies and producers. If the panel's findings are backed by a review body, the EU will either have to alter its policy or pay compensation to the injured parties. Commission officials warned any changes to the banana regime would have “very serious social, political and economic implications for the ACP banana-producing countries”.