UK: Farming community disappointed as ATQ for raw cane sugar in 2025 will be maintained

Since its implementation in 2021, the ATQ (autonomous tariff quota) has permitted 260,000 tonnes of raw cane sugar each year to enter the UK tariff-free, regardless of origin. The NFU first registered its opposition to the raw cane sugar ATQ via a public consultation launched upon its introduction in 2021 and has continued to lobby for its removal ever since. Besides a snap consultation undertaken at the end of 2023 due to the cost-of-living crisis, the 2024 review represents the first time the government has formally consulted on the ATQ since its introduction, NFU said. The association’s members said that it is therefore disappointing that, despite the significant concerns raised by the UK sugar beet sector, the government has decided to maintain the ATQ at current levels for 2025. A spokesperson for the government said that following the election, the incoming government committed to completing the consultation process and has carefully considered the responses to the ...