Brussels, 15/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - European sugar beet farmers, meeting for an AGM in Reims (France) from 12 to 15 June 2012, were united in their call for the continuation of sugar production quotas until at least 2020, as set out by the European Commission in its reform plans for the common agricultural policy (CAP).
The International European Confederation of Sugar Beet Growers (CIBE) says there is no justification for increasing instability and volatility by changing the market management tools from 2015 onwards, and calls on the European Parliament and Council of Ministers to examine the European Commission's approach.
Gerd Sonnleitner, chairman of COPA-COGECA, who attended the AGM, said there had already been a major restructuring during the previous CAP reforms in 2006 and quotas should continue because a stable market is required to boost competitiveness. The presidency report on progress in the CAP reform talks says that most member states oppose the phasing out of the sugar quota scheme by 30 September 2015 and want it to be continued (although some free-market countries would like it to be phased out as planned). MEP Michel Dantin, rapporteur on the market management side of the CAP reforms, wants the sugar quota system to continue until 2020. (LC/transl.fl)