Special Report: Has the reform of the sugar market achieved its main objectives?

The EU launched a major reform of its sugar sector in 2006 in order to increase market orientation and to stabilise the market while complying with international commitments.

The European Court of Auditors has conducted an audit of the reform and concludes that, whereas the aim was to create an incentive for the least competitive sugar producers to give up their quotas, quotas were also abandoned by competitive factories. There is an increased dependence on imports while there are doubts as to whether the fall in prices will be passed on to final consumers and delays persist in implementing diversification and environmental measures. The Court also notes the increasing risk of displacement of production facilities.

ECA: Special Report, No.6, 2010: Has the reform of the sugar market achieved its main objectives? http://eca.europa.eu/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/5986724.PDF

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