Future of ACP countries' banana production
8.2.2017
Question for written answer E-000884-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Nirj Deva (ECR) , Louis-Joseph Manscour (S&D) , Eric Andrieu (S&D) , Cécile Kashetu Kyenge (S&D) , Jude Kirton-Darling (S&D) , Bogdan Brunon Wenta (PPE) , Marielle de Sarnez (ALDE) , Louis Michel (ALDE) , Maurice Ponga (PPE) , Maria Arena (S&D)
With the Cotonou agreement expiring in 2020, we are at a crossroads for the future development of ACP countries.
ACP banana producers are instrumental in tackling more effectively the global and common challenges faced by the EU and ACP countries in the areas of trade, economic development, migration and sustainable agriculture, and therefore require the EU’s support in protecting the competitiveness of their production.
However, we observe that since 2010 the EU has, through bilateral trade agreements, granted Latin American banana-exporting countries a favourable landing duty of 75 euro per ton by 2020 to the detriment of the ACP region.
This accelerated pace of preference erosion, contrary to the spirit of the 2009 Geneva Agreement which provided for a 114 EUR /ton landing duty, poses an immediate and vital threat to the competitiveness of the ACP banana sector.
Considering that the sustainability of ACP countries’ banana production is crucial in addressing the challenges mentioned above, can the Commission:
- 1.Clarify its position regarding further erosion of the tariff rate floor on bananas beyond the 75 EUR /ton threshold applicable to third countries?
- 2.Commit to triggering, if proven necessary, the stabilisation mechanism for bananas associated with the trade agreements signed with Latin American countries?