Brussels, 10/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - At the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) of Monday 8 October, the lifting of the block on aid of €40 million in favour of the European banana sector was noted. Most countries are now behind this aid, which aims to compensate the drop in customs duty on bananas imported from Latin American countries. This will benefit Spain, Portugal and France.
In September 2011, the European Parliament voted in favour of this aid to the sector. But it has been blocked since then, as there is no majority at the Council of Ministers of the EU.
This aid is part of the package of measures in favour of agriculture in the outermost regions of the EU. Only a few delegations (Germany, Sweden and the UK) continue to have misgivings, due to the increase of the budget brought about by the proposal. The Cypriot Presidency has been given a mandate for a second trialogue with the EP at the end of October. (LC/transl.fl)