US criticises EU's banana policy

The United States has criticised proposals put forward by the European Commission to change its rules on importing bananas from developing countries to bring them in line with those of the World Trade Organisation .

The US trade representative to the WTO in Geneva, Rita Hayes, said the EU's proposals for producers from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries ACPremained protectionist and were inconsistent with the WTO's guidelines.

But her EU counterpart, is reported to have said the proposals have still to be finalised.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service