Revised EU sugar reforms are still a threat to Ireland

REVISED proposals to reform the European Union’s sugar regime, which will be published on June 22, could still pose a serious threat to the future viability of the industry in Ireland, despite recent restructuring.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled in Geneva last week that the EU was illegally pushing subsidised sugar onto the world market, opening the way to speed up the reforms, which Brussels already have in the pipeline.

EU Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said she will take account of the WTO verdict, which confirmed an earlier decision, when she finalises the reform proposals.