Time to close ranks on EU sugar betrayal -says CAGI
Stabroek News
July 7, 2004
The European Union's (EU) proposal to reform the sugar regime is nothing less than a betrayal given the EU's reassurances that the preferential price for sugar would be reviewed in 2008 thus giving producers some space to adjust, says the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI).
In a release issued yesterday CAGI said that in keeping with the EU's reassurances, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) responded proactively with the planned expansion of the Berbice estates to reduce production costs.
CAGI said the Sugar Association of the Caribbean's rejection of the proposal demands the support of the entire Caribbean and the inclusion of the item on the agenda of the Caricom Heads of Government 25th Annual Conference in Grenada was timely.
CAGI added that the Regional Negotiating Machinery, with the help of the sugar producers' representative should leave no stone unturned to persuade the EU to maintain the previous position.
It said the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries have repeatedly stressed the sanctity of the benefits countries receive under the sugar protocol and its inclusive reference to the Cotonou Agreement.
Noting the effect the proposal would have on Guysuco employees if it goes through, the association said the affected 20,000 workers and their 100,000 dependants would "dig a huge hole in the economic landscape of Guyana."
Loss of earnings by Guysuco threatens the future of every employer enterprise in Guyana.