The European Court of Justice has rejected a long legal campaign by nine Italian and one British banana importers against the European Commission over an import quota row.
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The companies had claimed Brussels should have allowed them to convert licences to import African, Caribbean, Pacific 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 compensation claim at the ECJ, which was rejected, sparking an appeal, which has now been dismissed.
