WTO Sugar Ruling faces new appeal

[posted 19 October 2004, 12:00]

The WTO ruling against the European Union's preferential market access for developing countries faces a new appeal.

The appeal outlines the EU's comittment to assisting developing nations like Fiji.  Further, it outlines that such programs are not in violation of  the GATT.

The final ruling on the sugar matter can be expected around mid-April 2005.  Till then, the EU has promised to move ahead with reforms of its current Sugar Protocol to bring it more in line with market competition.

The loss of preferential market access is perhaps the single-greatest threat to the survival of the sugar industry in Fiji.  The final ruling will be anxiously awaited by industry stakeholders.