Andrew Duff welcomes British Sugar Deal

11.47.09am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Aug 2006

Liberal Democrat Euro MP Andrew DUFF has welcomed the deal between British Sugar and the sugar beet growers of the East of England.

Andrew Duff, who has been much involved in the EU programme to reform the sugar regime, said:

"After the dire predictions from gloom merchants about the collapse of the sugar industry in East Anglia, it is good news that British Sugar and its suppliers have reached a pragmatic agreement that establishes a sound future for the industry over the medium term.

"It is excellent that our farmers will not have to continue to grow excess crops that are then dumped unfairly on world markets in order to make a decent living.

"It was always obvious that our region's sugar industry is top of the European league in terms of competitiveness. The new deal gives those farmers who want to diversify time to do so.

"British Sugar will now be able to sustain its job levels and to further develop its efforts to make its production sustainable in ecological terms.

"The success of the reform of the sugar regime should encourage the EU to intensify its efforts to reform the CAP. Wine is the next target - where our regional interests will be less directly affected!"

ENDS/…