The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is poised to reject a long legal campaign by nine Italian and one British banana importers against the European Commission in a row over import quotas.

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The companies claimed that Brussels should have allowed them to convert licences to import African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) bananas into rights to sell bananas from other (Latin American) countries.


Co-Frutta, Alessandrini, Anello Gino di Anello Luigi & Co., Arpigi, Bestfruit, Dal Bello Sife, Frigofrutta, Garletti, Co-Frutta Soc. coop. and London Fruit Ltd had experienced problems sourcing ACP bananas in 1999. The Commission refused, sparking a long legal battle.


ECJ advocate general Dámaso Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer has now advised the Commission acted within its powers.

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