§ Mr. BrandrethTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the United Kingdom is going to secure the long-term prospects of the Caribbean banana industry. [23928]
§ Mr. BaldryThe UK has assisted the Windward Islands banana industry over many years. We fought hard to safeguard their interests in the EC banana regime which allows preferential access for Windward Islands bananas to the EU market until 2002. We have recently funded a wide-ranging consultancy review of the industry's current structure and future strategy. The recommendations of this review have been broadly accepted by the Windwards Prime Minister and the industry. We are now co-operating with the EC on a second study which will provide detailed plans to enable the industry to become more competitive.