HC Deb 18 February 1992 vol 204 cc103-4W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what are the implications for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries' bananas of the compromise text on agriculture in the GATT negotiations put forward on 20 December 1991;

(2) what account he took of the banana protocol of the Lomé convention in considering the draft compromise for the final agreement on the GATT-Uruguay round of negotiations put forward on 20 December 1991;

(3) what changes have taken place in Government policy with regard to the United Kingdom's traditional banana suppliers in the Caribbean since the commitments made by the former Prime Minister in Jamaica in 1987.

Mr. Curry

The draft text circulated by the GATT Director General on 20 December 1991 covered all products. It remains under negotiation and it is at present not clear what final agreement may be reached, nor whether the Community will wish to deal with bananas on the same basis as other products. The impact of tariffication on ACP banana industries would depend on the size of any tariffs proposed and on the precise terms of any provisions for maintaining current access opportunities. We remain committed to fulfilling our obligations under the Lomé convention and to bringing the GATT round to an early and successful conclusion.