Recent Events

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19 September 2005

Meeting of ACP/LDC Ministerial delegation with European Commission and EU Agriculture Ministers

Ministers from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar supplying states, and representatives of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), met with EU Agriculture Ministers and the European Commission in Brussels to discuss the proposed reform of the EU sugar regime. The ACP/LDC delegation described the discussions as encouraging as they had the opportunity to communicate their strong concerns about the European Commission's proposals to cut sugar prices by 39% over a period of only four years starting in 2006.

"We welcomed the opportunity to impress upon the Commission and the Member States the very real macro-economic and human devastation these proposals would cause. We emphasised the need for a just, equitable and meaningful reform, not one that would hit the most vulnerable stakeholders the hardest," said Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agriculture of Mauritius and head of the ACP delegation, speaking at a press conference following the meeting. "We are confident that our concerns are now better understood by our European partners and look forward to continuing our dialogue on this crucial issue."

In a two-hour meeting in the Council of Ministers,Minister Boolell was joined by colleagues from Fiji, Guyana, Jamaica, Malawi, Sudan and Swaziland, some of the countries which would be hit severely by the proposed reform. Discusisons focused on the appropriate level of price cut and timeframe for implementation, the need for a managed market system, the legitimate expectations of the ACP under the terms of the ACP-EU Sugar Protocol and the accompanying measures required to offset the damaging impact of reform in the ACPs.


Minister Boolell of Mauritius addressing the media during the press conference, along with Ambassador Ali (Sudan), Secretary Margaret Becket (UK Presidency), Commissioner Fischer Boel and Commissioner Michel.		Hon. Margaret Becket, UK Secretary for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and Hon. Arvin Booleel, Minister of Agriculture of Mauritius

Statements made by the ACP and LDC representatives during the meeting and subsequent press conference may be downloaded here:

Mr. Clement J. Rohee, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation (Guyana) on price.
Mr. Martin Kansichi, Minister of Trade and Private Sector Development (Malawi) on political & legal aspects.
Mr. Roger Clark, Minister of Agriculture (Jamaica) on socio-economic impact.
Mr. Albert Shabangu, Deputy Prime Minister (Swaziland) on socio-economic impact.
Mr. Kaliopate Tavola, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (Fiji) on political & legal aspects.
Mr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agriculture (Mauritius) concluding statements.

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For further information, please contact:

Giles Keane
Tel: +32 (0) 473 894 328
E-mail: gkeane@hillandknowlton.com

Mari Helen Skarholt
Tel: +32 (0) 479 980 770
E-mail: mhskarho@hillandknowlton.com