The normalisation of the relations between the United States and the European Union concerning the banana dossier was responsible for the apathy of participants at the Session of the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Bananas and Tropical Fruits (San José - Costa Rica - 4 to 8 December 2001). The banana question had apparently been settled and the liveliest discussions were devoted to the SPS Agreement, the organic market and upstream/downstream trade relations.