Brussels, 21/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission decided to continue infringement proceedings against France in connection with importers' access to tariff quotas for bananas. This decision marks the second stage ("reasoned opinion") of a procedure launched in July 2001 (see EUROPE of 26 July 2001) that could end up at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The Commission argues that Article 4 of the regulation giving effect to the new arrangements for banana imports entitles French importers to only around 4,000 tonnes a year, but France has in fact taken a decision to allow its biggest importer, Pomona, to import more than 50,000 tonnes of bananas at a reduced rate of customs duty. France now has one month to reply to the Commission.