§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with(a) the European Commissioner for 674W Development and (b) her European Union counterparts on (i) recent amendments to the 'Everything but Arms' initiative and (ii) the implications of these proposals for (A) United Kingdom sugar producers and (B) African, Caribbean and Pacific sugar exporters; and if she will make a statement. [153555]
§ Clare ShortThe Government have had ongoing discussions with EU member states and the European Commission on the 'Everything but Arms' initiative (EBA), culminating in the adoption of the Presidency compromise to the proposal on 26 February. Central to these discussions w is consideration of the implications of these proposals for both UK sugar producers and ACP sugar exporters.
In these discussions, I made clear my belief that least developed countries are not in the position to export large amounts of sugar in the short term. Details of the final agreement are such that imports of sugar from LDCs will be limited by quotas until 2006. It is now up to the European Commission to bring forward amendments to its sugar reform proposals to achieve coherence with EBA. But since the main impact of the agreement will be deferred until 2006–09, the short-term implications for UK sugar producers are likely to be modest. The proposals will have a more immediate effect on non-LDC ACP countries who will face increasing displacement of some of their exports. The UK will work with the EU, multilateral and ether donors to ensure that their adjustment needs are fully taken into account in assistance programmes.