campaigners have refused to give up the fight to keep duty-free despite the collapse of the latest round of European Union talks.
Hopes were raised recently by German chancellor Gerhard Schroder’s suggestion of a 30-month postponement of the abolition, a proposal backed by prime minister Tony Blair.
The postponement has had the backing of many member states since it was suggested in February, but met with opposition from six countries, the most vociferous being Denmark, at the European Council of Finance Ministers last week.
Duty-Free Confederation secretary general, Barry Goddard said: “The outcome of the meeting was much as I had expected, given the total intransigence of the European Commission and the known opposition of some finance ministers. But we remain confident agreement on a limited extension for duty-free can be reached.”