The European Sugar Regime - The sugar regime in the EU: keeping a fair balance

This document aims to illustrate the importance of the European sugar industry for employment in rural areas, for the environment and for farmers, but also for consumers, taxpayers and the agri-foodstuffs industry.

It explains why, within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, a common organisation of the market was first introduced and has since been adapted over the last 30 years. It also underlines that this regulatory regime contains provisions to help developing countries by allowing them to sell substantial quantities of cane sugar to EU refineries on preferential terms.

The Comité Européen des Fabricants de Sucre (CEFS) emphasises in this document the efficiency of this regime, which ensures a satisfactory balance between the various economic and political interests involved.