§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his colleagues from other member states of the European Union to discuss the present circumstances and future trading prospects of the Caribbean banana producers; and if he will make a statement. [71421]
§ Ms QuinMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attended the 7 December General Affairs Council. The Agenda for this meeting covered the dispute with the US over the EU banana regime (the means by which the EU gives preferential access to banana imports from Caribbean ACP producers). Since then my right hon. Friend has on several occasions discussed the dispute, and its implications for UK industry and the Caribbean, with the US Secretary of State.