Tariff deal to combat drug trafficking

POOR countries in Central and South America will be offered 1.5 billion ecu in trade concessions to cut their dependence on drug trafficking if plans due to be approved by the European Commission next week are endorsed by ministers.The move comes as part of an overhaul of the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), which offers lower import tariffs on farm and industrial goods to make it easier for developing countries to trade with the Union.