Brussels, 30/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 27 July, the European Commission confirmed it had sent a statement of objections to several companies in the banana sector (including banana importing companies), the first stage in infringement procedure under European law. The Commission suspects these companies of having exchanged confidential data on volumes and prices of bananas imported into Europe over the past five years. Thanks to such information, the companies are believed to have entered into secret and unlawful agreements in order to fix artificially high prices and share out the market. Half a dozen companies are said to be involved in the cartel, including the five leading producers: US multinationals Chiquita, Del Monte and Dole, the Ecuadorian company Noboa and Irish company Fyffes. In June 2005, the Commission had acknowledged having carried out surprise inspections on banana distributors in Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland, in order to collect evidence. European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes has made the fight against cartels one of her top priorities.
The American company Dole has confirmed it has received a request for explanations from the Commission on its participation in an eventual cartel, but vigorously challenged these accusations. Michael Carter, Dole's executive vice president, explained that the company “strongly disputes the European Commission's allegations of anti-competitive behaviour”. “Dole is proud of its reputation as one of the world's most ethical companies and will continue to cooperate with the European Commission in order to provide the Commission with a full and transparent understanding of the banana market”, Mr Carter said by way of conclusion. (lc)