EC calls for changes to sugar scheme

THE European Commission this week proposed changes to the EU sugar restructuring scheme.

Aid to growers and machinery contractors should be fixed at 10% of the scheme, said the Commission, but growers who renounce quota will get an additional payment, paid retroactively to avoid penalising those who have already given up their quotas.

Another proposal is that beet growers could apply directly for aid from the restructuring fund, up to a limit.