Brussels, 13/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 20 April the European Commission might adopt a rather controversial communication by Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel, which includes the possibility of imposing fines on five of the ten new ms for having artificially accumulated large stocks of sugar. In compliance with Community rules, the Commission may assess the situation as one of agricultural surpluses calculated as form 1 May 2004, the date of enlargement of the ten new Member States. It appears that some of these stocks were accumulated for speculative goals (re-sale following enlargement of sugar at more attractive Community prices: Editor's note).
According to the initial draft, fines could start at EUR 90 million for abnormal sugar stocks in Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Cyprus and Malta. Abnormal sugar surpluses will rise to 180,000 tonnes, half of which will come from operators in Estonia. These countries have until the end of October to destroy or export abnormal stocks, if not they will be fined. According to data that is very rudimentary for the moment, penalties cold be imposed in other sectors (meat, milk products, rice, fruit and vegetables) will rise to a total of EUR 370 million, including EUR 150 million for excessive stocks in the meat sector.