Luxembourg, 26/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Portugal, supported by other countries such as Romania, the United Kingdom, Finland and Bulgaria, called on Tuesday 26 October for exceptional sugar import measures to be implemented. The above countries have called for more sugar cane to be imported for refining purposes.
European agriculture ministers discussed this matter during their meeting in Luxembourg. One group of countries (France, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) felt, however, that such measures (import quotas for sugar cane) were premature.
The European Commission said it was closely monitoring the situation of the sugar market week by week and above all the level of supplies assured by imports as well as price developments. If market monitoring shows there is a need to act because of tension placed on stocks due to the fall in supplies and price strains, then the Commission would be willing to take rapid action to ensure the Community sugar market functions in a balanced manner, naturally subject to strict, exceptional conditions defined by the rules governing the sugar sector, one source states.
A new legislative framework for the refining sector and for imports has taken effect since the 2009/2010 marketing year. European Union imports also come into a new context (entry into force of economic partnership agreements with the ACP countries and an “Everything But Arms” agreement with the less developed countries). Trade relations between the EU and these countries have developed considerably in so far as there is no longer a supply obligation. Neither are there exclusive relations between the so-called traditional refiners and imports of raw sugar. In this new context, the monitoring of imports from ACP/LDC countries is becoming more significant than ever. The Commission specifies that the global sugar market is marked by volatile and high prices. (L.C./transl.jl)