Discord Over EU Sugar Reforms

BRUSSELS - Sep 8/05 - SNS -- Sugar production reforms proposed by the European Commission were criticized as going too far by the Section on Agriculture and Environment (NAT) of the European Economic and Social Committee's (EESC).

"The EESC recognizes the need for reform" - said Jean Paul Bastian, EESC Rapporteur for the sugar dossier who is due to prepare his draft opinion to the EESC Plenary in October – "however the Commission proposals go too far as regards cutting production and prices."

During the hearing, concerns were expressed by many participants about the considerable repercussions that the reform would have on employment, with loss of jobs in regions that are often already struggling. It was underlined that compensation to farmers for income lost as a result of the reform should be increased; notably, sugar should have the same level of compensations that is granted to other crops.

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