The other point on competition is that to import bananas you need to offer something in return.

After oil prices plummeted and an economic crisis ensued in the mid-1980's, however, the Government stopped importing bananas and many other foods.

When it comes to the rules for importing and exporting bananas, Europeans can't seem to go along to get along.

Kojima had made a fortune importing bananas, and was a motor-racing enthusiast, having ridden in Motocross himself in the 1960s.

Under the agreement announced yesterday, which complies with World Trade Organization rules, quotas and the licenses to import bananas would be based on previous import figures.

The World Trade Organization agreed that the Europeans had discriminated against companies importing bananas from Latin America.

"I can tell you that if you say you're importing bananas from Iceland, you're going to score higher," a federal official said.

The American move, protesting Europe's preference for importing bananas grown in the Caribbean, was described as "irresponsible unilateral action."

The case, brought in late 1998, was a response to Washington's action in a dispute over Europe's rules on importing bananas.

It is true that we have a new situation here, since the three new Member States have hitherto imported only 'dollar' bananas.