5 Jul 2005

ACP sugar producers seek more time for lowering of preferential prices

10:22 am on 5 July 2005

Fiji and other sugar producing countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries are lobbying the European Community to have the reductions in preferential sugar prices effected over a longer period of time.

The Fiji Times reports that the price reduction of 42 % is to be phased in over three years.

But Fiji's foreign affairs minister, Kaliopate Tavola, is quoted as saying they want the reductions, which have been ordered by the WTO, to be spread over 8 years to soften their impact.

Mr Tavola says otherwise it will be the death knell for sugar production in some ACP countries.