Press Release: Fischler welcomes Council decision designed to end the banana dispute

On 19.12.00, the Agriculture Council adopted the Commission's proposal for a new import system for bananas. It was decided to implement a transitional tariff quota regime on the basis of a 'first come, first served (FCFS)' system. This system was suggested by several parties, including notably the US. The regulation should come into force on 1 April 2001. However, there is a possibility for the Commission to defer this date until 1 July, if the technical preparation by Member States customs authorities to apply the first come first served system cannot be completed by that time. The Council agreed that the tariff quotas are a transitional measure leading to a flat tariff in 2006 at the latest.