Press Release: Trade in bananas: Commission proposes support package for ACP producers’ competitiveness

On 17 March 2010, the Commission adopted a €190 million support package for banana exporters from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. This proposal was part of the historic Geneva Agreement on Trade in Bananas. The EU concluded this deal with Latin American countries and the US in December 2009 which settles 15 years of banana disputes. It also cuts the tariff which the EU applies to bananas imported from Latin American countries. These measures aim to support ACP banana exporters to adjust to this new trading environment, taking into account each country's specific situation. The measures will focus on three goals: boosting the banana sector's competitiveness, promoting economic diversification and addressing broader social, economic and environmental impacts.

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/10/83: Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) – Supporting ACP countries in adjusting to new trade realities – Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/83&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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