Special Framework of Assistance

The European Council formally adopted Council Regulation (EC) 856/1999 on 22nd April 1999, establishing a special framework for technical and financial assistance for traditional ACP Banana producers, which is a ten-year funding instrument, designed to facilitate the commercialisation of the banana industry in light of the WTO ruling on the EC the Banana Regime. In order to access this new Financing Instrument the Commonwealth of Dominica prepared a "Ten Year Country Strategy for the Utilisation of SFA funding". The Strategy in addition to proposing an eight-year plan for a more competitive agricultural sector, including the maintenance of the banana industry also emphasizes the need to diversify rural income generation and provide social recovery mechanisms for displaced farmers, farm workers and affected communities across Dominica.