Brussels, 14/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP states) are bitterly disappointed that Australia, Brazil and Thailand have requested the holding of a WTO panel to decide over their dispute with the EU over its sugar subsidies, specifically the preferential scheme for importing ACP sugar into the EU (see EUROPE of 9 July, p. 17). In a press release, the ACP group highlights the surprising and unfair nature of this move, which is potentially disastrous for ACP sugar producers, which are some of the world's least developed countries. It reiterates its determination to defend its interests at the upcoming WTO ministerial meeting in Cancun (Mexico) in line with the Doha development agenda objectives.
Noting that ACP sugar producers get preferential access in a Protocol setting out longstanding trade arrangements, the ACP states are particularly disappointed because Australia and Brazil promise them they would not make any moves likely to directly or indirectly affect the interests of ACP sugar producers. Despite assurances given at the highest political level, notes the ACP, their concerns have been totally ignored. This is highly regrettable and very surprising because all WTO members attending the Uruguay Round negotiations have been aware for a long time of the preferential access granted to ACP countries, notes the ACP group.
Given the unfair system vis-à-vis poor countries, which often only rely on exports of a single crop, compared with big producers exporting a range of products, like Australia and Brazil, the ACP sees the move as yet more proof that rules of law are being used at the WTO to marginalize to an even greater extent the interests of vulnerable economies.
Regretting that Brazil and Australia have turned a deaf ear to ACP concerns, expressed during the consultations ahead of the Cancun summit, the ACP group notes that questions can be asked about the importance granted by certain competitive WTO countries to the development needs of vulnerable members, particularly at a time when all WTO members are involved in negotiating a development agenda. ACP states say they are determined to defend their vital interests and wonder whether the same rules and discipline should be applied to big, competitive, developing countries at the WTO (like Brazil and Thailand) as to the small, vulnerable, island developing economies. The ACP states will be raising this question in Cancun, aware that while there are no permanent allies, permanent interests do exist.