Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Trade Eamon Courtenay today argued Belize's need for preferential treatment by the European Union before the World Trade Organization.
Courtenay along with 14 other African and Caribbean countries appeared to submit their position that the existing preferential treatment of sugar for these countries is integral for them to survive as small economies.
The sugar regime is being challenged in the WTO by Austria, Brazil and Thailand. They maintain that the EU is in violation of commitments it made to reduce subsidies. If their challenge succeeds Belize's sugar prices will plummet causing severe repercussions to an already fledgling industry.
The WTO is expected to make its ruling in summer, the decision would more than likely be appealed by whoever the ruling is against.