By Leonardo Blair, Staff ReporterUNITED KINGDOM-BASED Jamaicans have pledged to drum up support in that country to protest against European Union (EU) proposals to drastically slash the prices it offers to the region's sugar producers.
Ambassador Derrick Heaven, chairman of the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA), who returned to the island last week after days of discussion with the Jamaican diaspora about the sugar crisis, said they have promised to back Jamaica's cause as much as they can.
"I had meetings in Birmingham and London to bring them (Jamaicans) up to date on the situation and the proposed changes. Having done so, they have pledged to ensure that their Members of Parliament are up to date (on the sugar situation)," said Ambassador Heaven. "They are going to solicit their MPs' support in ensuring that deliberations in Europe do not have an adverse effect on Jamaica."
Ambassador Heaven said that the response to help Jamaica was "very enthusiastic". He explained that the move to drum up support in Britain was a strategic one as Britain is "one of the countries actively pushing it (change in the sugar regime) and are seeking have it implemented as soon as possible without any regard."
The European Union has proposed to reduce the price paid to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states for sugar sold on the European market. The European Commission noted that from 2005 to 2006, ACP sugar producers would be paid 506 euros per ton, down 20 per cent from this year's 632 euros per ton.
NO ADJUSTMENT
For 2006/2007 there will be no adjustment, while for 2007/2008 there will be a further 16 per cent reduction, which would see the price paid for sugar move from 506 euros per ton to 421 euros.
As part of the new proposal that was presented to the European Parliament, ACP countries will retain their preferential access quotas.
Last month, however, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government rejected the proposal, which they said would result in a 37 per cent reduction in the guaranteed price for sugar supplied under the ACP-EU Sugar Protocol.
CARICOM Heads characterised the proposal as a betrayal of the commitments and guarantees given by the EU at the time of the negotiation of the protocol in 1975.
