Secretary of State for Environment Margaret Beckett today commented on the European Commission's proposals for Sugar reform. She said:

"I welcome today's Commission announcement of a far-reaching sugar reform package designed to provide a sustainable future for the sector. As the Commission says, this is all the more necessary following the recent WTO Appellate Body ruling limiting subsidised sugar exports.

"As incoming Presidency, the UK will work hard to bring negotiations to a successful conclusion in line with the Commission aim of agreement in November. This would strengthen the EU position in the WTO Doha Round talks in Hong Kong in December and contribute to our wider trade and development objectives. Reform is also needed to promote greater competitiveness and bring the sector into line with the CAP reforms of 2003 and 2004.

"I also welcome the development of an Action Plan to provide transitional assistance to those African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries which have traditionally supplied sugar to the EU. Helping them to adjust to lower prices is an integral part of the reform process, and we intend to ensure this progresses in parallel with the main reform proposal".