European Union agriculture ministers yesterday ended a first meeting under Britain's presidency, still divided over the bloc's proposed new system for banana imports.

Differences emerged in the talks over the controversial banana import rules, drawn up by the European Commission to bring them into line with a World Trade Organisation ruling.

"We all know the differences - the producers on one hand and those who believe there is no need for a regime at all on the other," Britain's Minister for Agriculture, Mr Jack Cunningham, said.

Britain, which holds the rotating EU Presidency, has made it a priority to amend the regime in a way that still offers some protection to small Caribbean producers.

He said the EU had a duty to see that their economies were not wrecked by a failure to reach a decision in Brussels.