Brussels, 11/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - Two Italian sugar producers, Sadam Abruzzo and Sadam Castigliones called upon the Court of First Instance to repeal the Commission decision that, last 11 May, was considered as illegal the subsidies that where conferred upon them by the Italian authorities. The Commission demands the reimbursement of these subsidies.
These producers assert being the only companies to whom the sugar beets delivered from four Italian regions: Tuscany, Umbria, Latina and Abruzzi. In their opinion the Commission's decision is void for the following reasons: i) European regulation allow Italy wide abilities for granting aid; ii) these of which they benefit correspond exactly to the National plan for the sector adopted by Brussels; iii) their activities where profitable and conserve the economic potential despite transitory difficulties. The producers also assert that they carry out their activities in assisted regions; they affirm insuring a necessary outlet for the production of the two regional basins essential to the cultivation of sugar beet, as the national plan for the sector confirms.
According to them the Commission has made a series of mistaken assessments in the facts and law and did not fully understand the scope and effect of the subsidies granted.