Vol. 502 No. 4
31 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps, if any, being taken to help secure a settlement to the dispute between the US and the EU over bananas particularly in view of the potential threat to Irish exports to the US; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8327/99]
The EU-US dispute over bananas remains unsettled. Discussions between the EU Commission and the US are continuing to see if a satisfactory solution can be worked out.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is expected to rule soon on the appropriateness of the US sanctions and on the compatibility of the EU banana regime with WTO rules. These rulings should be available by 12 April at the latest.
On 3 March, the US unilaterally announced that it was applying "withholding litigation" on a range of EU products which would have the result of requiring the posting of bonds from that date to cover a 100 per cent tariff. These bonds would become collectible only when and if the WTO ruled in favour of the US. A new list of products was released as part of the announcement and this excluded greeting cards and chandeliers, to the benefit of Irish exporting interests.
Both the Tánaiste and I have conveyed Ireland's concerns to the US ambassador about the way in which this dispute has been escalating and the Government's concerns with the US unilateral sanctions have also been raised with US authorities by senior officials from my Department and from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Within the EU we continue to press for an agreed settlement to the dispute.
