Brussels, 15/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 14 April, the European Union management committee backed a Commission proposal to raise the ceiling put on Community out-of-quota sugar exports without refunds for the 2010-2011 marketing year by 700,000 tonnes, to the maximum authorised quantity under WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules of 1,350,000 tonnes. An initial provisional ceiling of 650,000 tonnes for exports was set in May 2010. This was swiftly used up at the start of the marketing year in October 2010.
Export licences for the additional quantity will be granted from the beginning of July and will be valid from 1 September until 31 December.
The Commission says that this will send the appropriate signal to the sector in relation to the 2011 sowings (incentive to sow additional areas of sugar beet in 2011). It will provide the EU sugar sector with additional business opportunities. (L.C./transl.rt)