Split over EU tariff threatens to restart banana wars

The European Union is facing another tense round of talks over bananas after Latin American producers warned on 28 October 2004 that they would litigate against a proposed tariff, which they claim could ruin their main export commodity. The EU, which is due to introduce a new banana import regime from 2006, has been caught between the competing wishes of Latin American nations and banana producers from African and Caribbean (ACP) countries, essentially former European colonies that benefit from a preferential tariff treatment from the EU.