November 17, 2006	Friday	Shawwal 24, 1427

GENEVA, Nov 16: Ecuador launched an attack on the European Union’s banana import regime at the World Trade Organisation on Thursday, complaining it was unfair to Latin American producers.

The country’s mission at the EU said in a press release that its move should be seen as “an invitation for the EU to negotiate.”

A diplomat, who declined to be named, commented: “The banana war begins again.”

Ecuador is challenging in particular an EU customs duty of 176 euros per ton on bananas imported from Latin America.

Ecuador's share of the European banana import market fell to 27.5pc in the first eight months of the year from 29.9pc in the corresponding period in 2005, according to the EU agency.—AFP