The long dispute over the EU banana import regime is now over. The transitional regime agreed is much less satisfactory for Caribbean growers than those that preceded it. It nevertheless provides a breathing space till the end of 2005. Thereafter the uncertainty remains. For the agreement provides for no support after 2005 except a tariff preference yet to be negotiated- a tariff-only regime.

The Australian Banana Growers Council is the voice of the Australian Banana Industry. As the peak agri-political body of the largest fruit growing industry in the country and with a net worth to the economy well in excess of a quarter of a billion dollars, the Australian Banana Growers Council represents the interests of almost 2300 Australian banana growers nationally to both Government and the ...