NEW PERSPECTIVES REPORT GIVEN TO LE FOLL ABOUT THE SUGAR AFTER ENDING QUOTAS

USPA NEWS - Serge Lhermitte, ministerial delegate agribusinesses, and Thierry Berlizot, member of the General Council of Agriculture, Food and Rural Areas, today presented to Stéphane Le Foll their report on the prospects of the French sugar industry after the end of European quotas in 2017.

This ministerial mission conducted by the Minister of Agriculture in January 2015, aimed to reflect on the conditions of success of the sector after 2017. It is indeed necessary that the sugar industry is able to consolidate its position as leader European level and to win in the global landscape. The two missionaries met with all stakeholders upstream and downstream, in order to establish an inventory and make recommendations. They have highlighted that the French industry has already the ability to produce large volumes of quality sugar at a competitive price. These undeniable assets must allow it to take advantage of the end of sugar quotas and increase production and exports, which will be more limited. To achieve these ambitions, the missionaries emphasised the importance of the organisation of relations within the sector, in particular through a national intersectorial agreement in 2017. Noting the recommendations of the rapporteurs, Stéphane LE FOLL reiterated its attachment to a product recovery target for the benefit of the entire industry may be prosecuted. Furthermore, the Minister requested that all stakeholders are consulted in the coming weeks, to retain and implement the prioritised actions. Official statement Ministry of Agriculture