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Australia joins WTO sugar action against European Union
MELBOURNE (August 17 2002) : Australia would join forces with Brazil in taking World Trade Organisation action against the European Union sugar regime, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said on Friday.
"The global market for sugar has been difficult for Australian producers and the EU sugar subsidies exacerbate the difficulties in third country markets," Vaile said in a statement.
"In taking this WTO dispute action we are laying down a marker on the impact of these subsidies on Australian producers," he said.
Vaile said the EU subsidies had resulted in one of the least efficient producers becoming one of the largest exporters on the world market, distorting global market conditions and prices.
"We will be looking for support from other exporting countries aside from Brazil on this action," Vaile said.
"Industry is also in close contact with members of the Global Sugar Alliance, the sugar industry alliance pushing for reform of world trade in sugar."
Australia's main commodity agency ABARE has forecast Australian production of 4.92 million tonnes in 2002-03 (July-June), up slightly on last year.
But the forecast is well down on the 5.45 million tonnes produced in 1999-2000, with severe drought cutting yields in some areas.
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