EXECUTIVE chairman of the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) ambassador Derrick Heaven will be addressing the European Parliament today, to give the response of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) to the sugar reform plan.

The European Union plans to implement a phased 39 per cent cut in the price paid for sugar from ACP countries, starting July 2006.

Speaking in London Monday, two days ahead of his presentation, Heaven said the EU Parliament asked him to appear as an “expert witness” on behalf of the ACP, for a clearer grasp of the implications of the proposed reforms.

The sugar cuts are expected over three years, 2006 to 2008. But, the final decision is to be made November by the EU’s Council of Ministers.

The sugar ambassador also updated Jamaican community leaders and re-enlisted their support in lobbying influential persons in the United Kingdom, on behalf of Jamaica.

Jamaica is seeking a modification in the size of the price cuts and a longer period – 10 years – for implementation of the cuts, to allow sufficient time for the sugar industry to adjust.

He also said Jamaica and other ACP countries were dissatisfied with the way in which the planned accompanying measures to the sugar reforms had been presented.

“There is no justification as to why an elaborate compensation plan has been put in place for the partners (sugar producers) in Europe, but very little has been said about what is proposed for us,” said Heaven.

“It has no indication as to funding and who is going to administer the programme. In the same way that the industry in Europe requires the information as to what is proposed, we do as well.”

He reiterated that the ACP bloc was asking for no handouts, but was simply insisting on the adherence to the trade treaty it has with the EU.

Although sugar contributes just under two per cent of Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), its impact is much more far-reaching.

More than 40,000 persons are directly employed to the sector, while the jobs of as many as 250,000 are indirectly impacted by sugar.