§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has received about and what assessment he has made of the effects of the exclusion of the Caribbean banana-producing states from the disputes panel at the World Trade Organisation. [38995]
§ Mr. David DavisThe European Commission, strongly encouraged by the UK, pressed for full African Caribbean and Pacific participation in the World Trade Organisation panel set up to examine complaints about the EU banana regime. However, the panel ruled on 13 June after the ACP states would be able to attend its first substantive meeting and present their case there. The Government have not yet received any direct representations from 187W Caribbean Governments about this. However, the UK will continue to encourage the Commission to ensure that Caribbean interests are adequately defended.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the time allocated to the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states to prepare their case for presentation at the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [38996]
§ Mr. DavisThe dispute settlement panel of the World Trade Organisation, established to examine complaints against the EU banana regime, ruled on 13 June that the ACP group of states would have to present their arguments in the WTO banana dispute on 13 August. Panel proceedings in the WTO are required to be completed within set time scales, and the time allocation in this case is no different from other cases. The Government will continue to support the European Commission in defending the interests of the ACP robustly in the WTO.