EU/WTO: EU FARMERS FURIOUS AT WTO SUGAR RULING

摘要

The World Trade Organisation's April 28 ruling against the European Union's sugar regime prompted an angry outburst from Europe's sugar farmers, who say the decision puts a sizeable part of their production under threat. The WTO appeals body confirmedthat European sugar exporters were getting more in government handouts than is allowed under trade rules, bringing down world sugar prices and making it impossible for producers in other countries to compete. The sugar producers' angry reaction suggeststhat the Commission has a good fight ahead when it presents its sugar reform proposals, which are partly intended to adapt the EU's sugar market to international trade rules. The reform is likely to involve hefty subsidy cuts and a lowering of sugar production quotas in the EU.