HC Deb 01 December 1992 vol 215 c157W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the arrangements for bananas agreed at the last meeting of Agriculture Ministers.

Mr. Curry

The Agriculture Council of 16 and 17 November discussed the Commission's proposal for the common organisation of the banana market. No agreement has yet been reached on the future arrangements for bananas. The Council will consider the issue again in December.

Mr. Channon

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what interim arrangements he is proposing to put in place to protect the position of Caribbean banana exporters during the interim period after 1 January 1993 before final decisions on the banana regime are taken.

Mr. Curry

The Government are working hard to achieve agreement on new EC banana market arrangments as soon as possible. If necessary, interim measures designed to protect our traditional suppliers in the Commonwealth Caribbean will be put in place on 1 January 1993.

Mr. Channon

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he intends to make so as to achieve a successful banana regime before the end of the United Kingdom presidency.

Mr. Curry

I am reflecting on the possibilities for reconciling the wide differences of opinion between member states in a way consistent with our objectives on this dossier.