§ 21. Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the economic position of small farmers in the Caribbean who are dependent on the banana crop. [85995]
§ Clare ShortWe fully recognise the considerable uncertainty and concern among banana farmers in the Caribbean as a result of recent World Trade Organisation ruling. We are collaborating closely with the European Commission and other member states to try to identify new trading arrangements which, with the endorsement of the different parties involved, will hold out the prospect of a viable future for a restructured Caribbean banana178W industry. This exercise is complex, given the range of different interests involved. We are continuing to consult closely with Caribbean Governments in the search for an acceptable solution. We are also actively involved, with the EC, in encouraging and supporting the necessary local restructuring of the banana industry to enable it to compete under a new regime.