BIG money banana traders are skinning traditional producers.

Long time traditionalists' campaigner, Leigh-based Euro MP Terry Wynn, is off to the West Indies as part of a team trying to resolve the threat to the Windward Islands' economy.

Mr Wynn will join Glenys Kinnock, East Anglian MEP Dave Thomas and aid agency representatives.

He has tried to get preferential access for small producers in European markets, but the World Trade organisation has over-ruled such help.

Mr Wynn says:"The USA, acting on behalf of multinational companies, challenged the European system and won.

"This could put the lives of thousands of small growers at risk who cannot compete with the big organisation."

"We now have to ensure the EU appeals against the WTO ruling. The outcome is critical for those concerned and to the future of similar trade agreements with developing countries."

He said the banana trade was a multi-billion dollar industry largely controlled by rich American operators. Bananas are the fifth most important food commodity in world trade after cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa.

"Traditional producers only have 16 per cent access to the European markets and if something is not done, they won't even have that."

Contact Terry Wynn at 105 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1SX for more information.

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