Wojciechowski: “‘No to the reintroduction of sugar quotas”

Brussels – No return to the past. The sugar market will not be subject to new production caps. Janusz Wojciechowski, EU commissioner for agriculture, is adamant about this. “The Commission does not consider the reintroduction of sugar quotas to be a suitable policy option for achieving the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy,” he said, responding to a parliamentary question. 

First introduced in 1968, the sugar production quota system was abolished on October 1, 2017, ending the policy of supply containment and control in favor of liberalization in line with the needs of a more open and competitive market. Since then, the pure, open market economy has been embraced, respecting the logic of competition.

“One of the key objectives of the 2023-2027 CAP is to enhance the market orientation of the agricultural sector in the EU,” Wojciechowski stressed. This approach “aims to foster competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring that European agriculture remains resilient in a globalized market.” 

The von der Leyen team has no intention of revisiting the sector, certainly not in terms of the old rules, which are considered outdated and contrary to the new guidelines. The outgoing Agriculture Commissioner acknowledges that the EU executive “is aware of the constraints faced by the Outermost Regions” and the difficulties associated with the new production system. It is why the EU provides “support for the cane sugar-rum sector under the first and second pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy” in terms of direct payments and rural development. “There are also state aids for this sector,” and more.

Despite the passing of rules that have remained in place for half a century, risk management tools “will continue to be available to farmers,” Wojciechowski assured, as well as specific support for areas facing natural constraints to agricultural production, including mountain areas.