Written question asked by Doug Henderson (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 November 2005. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Sugar Regime

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether tradable sugar quotas, as proposed in the European Commission's Communication of July 2004, would be beneficial to UK (a) industry, (b) agriculture and (c) consumers.

Answer: The European Commission's Communication of July 2004 was a further discussion of options for reform, preparatory to the tabling of formal legislative proposals in June this year. In making its definitive proposals the Commission decided not to proceed with a tradable quota scheme. The analysis relating to this was summarised in the explanatory material and impact assessment studies which the Commission published at the time. A further discussion of these issues is contained in the Government's own regulatory impact assessment, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 439 c1850W;439 c1852W; 27948
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Production Reform Sugar Quotas Trade competitiveness Common sugar regime
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk