EU vows to fight ruling on bananas

Date: 01/05/1997

By Michael Mann

THE European Commission is to appeal against the findings of a World Trade Organisation dispute settlement panel which has declared the EU's preferential trade regime towards African, Caribbean and Pacific banana producers contrary to global trading rules.

The panel's final report, which confirms the findings of a recent interim ruling, could have far reaching consequences for the Union's trading relationship with the ACP countries, due to be re-negotiated by 1999.

News of the panel's verdict was greeted with dismay by ACP countries. “If the findings were implemented, the results would be devastating for our countries,” warned Edwin Laurent, the Eastern Caribbean States ambassador to the EU.

Commission officials said yesterday (29 April) that they had not received confirmation of the ruling, but added that Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler “would certainly appeal” against a negative decision.