Brussels, 29/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - The management committee of EU member states' representatives decided on Thursday 28 January to neither approve nor reject the draft regulation to increase by 500,000 tonnes the quota-free exports of sugar from the EU in the 2009-2010 marketing year, in other words until 31 July 2010 (see EUROPE 10066). Many delegations abstained because they did not receive the details of the decision on time. If the management committee fails to decide, the ball goes to the European Commission's court and it can adopt the regulation using the written procedure. This will happen in the next few days.
The 500,000 tonne rise in non-quota sugar exports is a temporary measure to respond to the unusual situation on the markets (sugar prices have shot up, there is a sugar shortage on the world markets and the EU industry is more competitive following restructuring). (L.C./transl.fl)