§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to give assistance to those industries affected by the US-EU dispute over farmers; and if he will make a statement. [132372]
§ Mr. CabornThere are currently two high profile disputes between the EU and US involving agricultural products—bananas and hormone-treated beef. A number of sectors are currently affected by US retaliation over the banana dispute, with further sectors threatened by the US move to carousel retaliation. The only way to alleviate the burden being borne by the companies facing US sanctions is to find a solution to the banana dispute that is satisfactory to all parties. UK companies are not affected by the hormone-treated beef dispute. I have no plans to make a statement on this issue.