THE decision taken by the European Union (EU) Commission to end the sugar quota for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in 2017 instead of 2020, will be detrimental to the industries of the latter group.

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy expressed disappointment with what was decided and said, during a recent interview, he believes it is also a breach of faith.
According to him, when the sugar protocol was signed in 1973, it was agreed that it will be offering continuous support.
He said, at the time the protocol was removed and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) put into place, there was another promise that the industry would be supported over a period, so as to allow it to recover from the loss of those benefits which were in the agreement.
Nevertheless, Ramsammy pointed out that the original deadline for the quota was 2015 although, earlier this year, it was announced that the European Parliament had approved a proposal, from the ACP countries, for an extension to 2020.
However, the EU Commission did not accept the position of the Parliament and reverted to 2015 but Guyana and other ACP members have, since, been lobbying for a longer time and the EU decided to go with a middle point of 2017.
Ramsammy emphasised that, while 2020 would have been good for Guyana and the other ACP membership, 2017 is still better than 2015.

Being elongated
In January, when it was announced that the arrangement was being elongated to 2020, the minister had said that, in the Caribbean Region, Guyana had the most to lose if it came to an end.
He explained that the ending could present an opportunity for some ACP countries with cheaper sugar to enter the competition.
Ramsammy had also stated that, with the extending of the EU deal, sugar-producing countries in the ACP had been granted another seven years to adjust and it was important for this to be done.
He then alluded to the changing weather patterns which had dire effects on the industry but observed that, since the supply will now end in 2017, ACP members have only four years to make the necessary adjustments to remain competitive on the market.