Mauritius as well as all other African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) countries are well aware of the fact: the reform of the sugar protocol by the European Union, which will lead to a fall in export sugar prices, will soon be in force. Likewise, it seems that even a 42% drop has been “accepted” by the countries. Even if this remains unconfirmed, it seems that ACP countries are ready to accept it when the official extent of the fall is announced by the EU tomorrow. What remains to be clarified is the help to be provided by the commission.

“A massive inflow of funds is required and we expect the Commission Delegation to give us specific indications on the availability and time frame for disbursement of funds as well as the terms and conditions related thereto,” declared Nando Bodha in the presence of Françoise Van Houtte on the 7th of June last.

But for now, the proposal of financial aid of Rs 1.5 billion by the EC is far from enough to compensate for the losses caused by the drop in sugar prices. The British proposal for a sum of 100 million euros to all ACP countries seems to be more reasonable to the minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources.

However, he is conscious that Mauritius can’t just rely on aid provided by Europe to save its sugar industry. Though he didn’t miss any opportunity to recall how such aid is vital at the general assembly of the Chamber of Agriculture last week, the minister insisted that the survival of the sugar industry depends on the capacity of public and private stakeholders to set up the reform plan.

His tone was very different from all the other times he tackled this embarrassing matter. He appeared optimistic and determined; as if he knew that there was nothing else to do than to fight to avoid the worst. The reform is inevitable and Mauritian authorities will have to deal with it.

<B>Vulnerable partners</B>

“Everything will depend on our own capacity to make decisions. We know our priorities but we’ll have to be quick (…) We’ll have to manage to transform the sugar industry into an industry of cane and its by-products such as electric energy and ethanol.”

Although the Accelerated Action Plan for 2005-2015 was expected to be launched in 2007, the government has realised that we can’t wait any longer. Hence, the plan will be put into operation immediately.

The aim of the plan is to “enable the industry to remain viable and sustainable in the long term and thereby fulfil its multifunctional role.”

It comprises various key components: the improvement of productivity at both field and factory levels; the optimisation of the use of by-products; the protection of the environment; sales of higher volumes of value- added direct- consumption sugars.

But it also includes a more social side. The plan takes into account the vulnerable partners who do not have alternative sources of income and intends to “ensure that they are fairly and equitably treated through the maintenance of permanent employment, the provision of gainful income to small planters and the maintenance of adequate compensation packages to workers retiring voluntarily in the context of cost reduction programmes.” Likewise, the plan aims to broaden ownership of the industry so that employees and small planters can have “a fair share of profits from sugar production as well as from its by-products.”

A team composed of members from the public and the private sectors will be in charge of the implementation of the plan. The experience of people of both sectors will help bring the project to a successful conclusion.

“Sugar is not just agriculture. Indeed, it is part of our culture. It has been the engine which has fuelled the growth and development of this country.” For all these reasons, it is out of the question to give iup… We have to save the sugar industry.