The sugar sector and the Mercosur Agreement

26.6.2018

Question for written answer E-003476-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Michel Dantin (PPE)

The Commission is currently negotiating with the Mercosur countries. It proposed granting a sugar quota of 100 000 tonnes at EUR 98 per tonne.

In view of the fact that, over the last five years, the European Union has increased the number of bilateral agreements providing easier access to the European market for third countries to the tune of 800 000 tonnes, which approximately equals Belgium’s sugar output, any concessions as regards quantities or tariffs going beyond the above proposal will have severely adverse effects on the sugar sector.

Can the Commission confirm that the proposal for the sugar quota is the Union’s final position and is not subject to change as a result of the dynamics of the negotiations?