ACP preferential status under threat

29 August 1997

ACP preferential status under threat

THE African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Groups retention of preferential
access to the European Union for key commodities is under threat.

The preferential arrangements for commodities, including sugar, bananas and
rice will feature in the negotiations for a successor to the Lome Convention.

The Financial Times says the arrangements for sugar will survive, but
preferential status for other commodities are under threat, especially rice and
bananas.

Leonel Fernandez, president of the Dominican Republic, said all trade
preferences would be eventually phased out. ACP nations should be prepared to
give these up in return for improved aid, eligibility conditions, soft loans and
debt relief, he said.