Impact of the Sugar Regime Reform

Impact of the Sugar Regime Reform THE CAP REFORMS: 2005-2007 SOURAV ROY THE SUGAR REGIME REFORM (2005-06) The European Union (EU) forms one of the largest sugar producers in the world. This position was formed through the application of protectionist policies ranging from production and prices to exports and imports that is applicable throughout the EU. The policy that is prevalent in Europe with regard to sugar regulation is commonly known as the CMO (Common Market Organisation). Since its inception in 1968 the CMO had hardly undergone any reform. Taking into account all the reforms that the EU’s Common Agricultural programme (CAP) had gone through the 1992 MacSharry Reform, Agenda 2000, and the 2003 CAP reform- the sugar market of Europe had escaped through all the reform periods. But the 2003 reforms gave rise to certain factors which led to the need for reforming their sugar market. First the Everything-But-arms (EBA) initiative that led the EU to withdraw tariff from 48 developing countries which means that there availability of more quantity of sugar. Secondly, the sugar re gime of EU does not comply with the EU’s WTO export rules which in turn imply that EU cannot export out-of –quota sugar. Thirdly, there was addition of 10 more countries in the EU which led to the increase in the imbalance of demand and supply of sugar. The main purpose of the CMO is to ensure uninterrupted sugar production within the countries of the EU where sugar production is feasible. This is made possible through the National Production Quota given to the producers of sugar within the EU. There also exists an intervention price – a minimum amount that is guaranteed to the producers of sugar so that they have the incentive for continuous sugar production. The EU under takes several mechanisms in order to protect the domestic sugar industry. Firstly, EU imposes high restrictive quotas on import of sugar substitutes. Secondly, high amount of subsidies are given to dispose off the excess amount of supply and maintain high domestic prices. The 2005 sugar reform under the CAP of EU aims at (1) lowering the production of sugar at places where the cost of inputs are higher or where the rate of yield is low (2) to bring the export subsidies in line with rules laid down by the WTO (3) to reduce the import of sugar from the EBA countries into the EU (4) to reduce the price gap between sugar and other substitutes of sugar. The main elements of the new sugar regime reform 2006 are as follows: Over a four year period beginning in 2006/07 the intervention price for sugar is reduced from 631.9 Euros to 404.4 Euros per ton, that amounts to a cut of about 36% In order to compensate for the price cut, the farmers were entitled to receive a compensation amounting to 64.2% of the price cuts. Farmers in those countries giving up at least 50% of the quota on sugar are provisioned to receive a coupled payment (coupled with production) of 30 percent of the income loss along with all possible national aids. Unlike the previous reform, in this reform the A and B quota are coupled together into a single quota amounting to 17.4 million tons of sugar. In order to encourage the system of quota, a voluntary restructuring scheme is introduced for a maximum period of 4 years. The scheme involves buying out quota from th producers of sugar and encouraging factory closures. With regard to the management of the supply side, it consists of both the old and the new system mechanisms. An important feature is the replacement of the intervention system with a reference price. The supply management mostly depends on the private storage system when market prices fall below the reference price. The border protection measures did not undergo a change except for cutting down on the quotas and the tariffs in order to bring them at par with the WTO commitments. Non preferential import duties including the special safeguards were not affected by the new regime. An examination of the market reveals some effects of the current sugar regime reform. Although the existing reform has been replaced by a new reform, there still exist some price support policies which have the potential to limit the extent to which the goals of the reform policy can be achieved. Moreover, high import barriers will continue to shield the domestic sugar industry. The inability of quota holders to trade quotas across member states may restrict the degree of industry adjustment toward greater cost efficiency. The application of the new sugar reform regime is going to alter the sugar market for the EU. According to the estimates given by the EU commission, a cut in the export of sugar due to the due to the rules set out by the WTO there is going to be a reduction in the production of sugar amounting to be around 2 million. High cost regions like Ireland, Greece, Italty and Portugal would face a lot of trouble while the low cost regions would be in a advantageous position to increase production. With regard to trade, shipments of sugar were expected to increase to the EU from the EBA countries after 2009 but there exists certain uncertainty regarding this. Under the SWAPS provision, the EBA countries could import sugar at world price and then export locally produced sugar within the EU. Even with the lower intervention prices, very few people within the EU believe that EBA countries will be able to export raw sugar at a reasonably low price. Under the reform, only the ACP countries within the LDC group (i.e., Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) have the potential to offset losses in their current quota exports to the EU by increasing their export volumes under the EBA Initiative. THE 2007 REFORM In order to have an environment-friendly development the various sections of CAP are monitored. On the November 2007 the commission declared that there will be a â€Å"Health Check up† on the various reforms of CAP. It gives the direction that the CAP should undertake to continue the reform process that started in 2003 with the introduction of SPS (Special Payment Scheme). It mainly focuses on three measures: Simplifying the SPS scheme. Market measures New environmental challenges. Simplifying the Single Payment Scheme According to the CAP Health Check, the Single Payment Scheme should be developed in the following ways: standardising the application of the system in order to limit cases where aid is still granted under a coupled support system; continued adaptation of the principle of cross-compliance, which promotes sustainableagriculture whilst taking account of societys new requirements; Reviewing the allocation of aid: limiting the higher level of payments and increasing the minimum area threshold required for small amounts. Market developments In order to encourage effectivecompetitionon agricultural markets, the Commission intends to review some CAP management instruments which no longer meet market requirements, in particular measures concerning cereals and dairy products. New environmental challenges This illustrates the new challenges that the CAP could contribute towards meeting: climate change, bio-energy and water management, as well as other challenges such as biodiversity.

Enduring Pak-China Relations Essay

During Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s visit to China, there have been speculations that he undertook this ‘emergency’ trip in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden’s killing in Abbottabad by US forces. Nothing could be further from the truth. During the visit, the Chinese leadership assured Pakistan of their full support in its hour of need. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao informed Pakistan that China had urged the US to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty. In addition to agreements on banking, technical and economic cooperation, China agreed to expedite the delivery of 50 J-17F Thunder fighter jets to Pakistan. This has provoked some American Congressmen to interpret it as Pakistan’s leaning on China to countervail pressure from Washington. Contrary to speculations, this visit was not prompted by the Abbottabad incident. It was planned much before and was part of the ongoing Pak-China strategic relations. Also, 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the Pak-China relationship and has been designated as the year of friendship between the two countries, which was reflected in the celebrations and extraordinarily warm welcome extended to Pakistan’s prime minister in China. Therefore, to suggest that the visit was organised on the spur of the moment is misleading. Pakistan and China have a longstanding relationship, especially since 1962, when China and India went to war over a disputed border. The Chinese have been steadfast friends and have supported Pakistan through thick and thin. China’s interest lies in a stable and prosperous Pakistan. They have been very generous in sharing their development and progress in the economic and technical fields and have aided Pakistan in every possible manner. Therefore, the visit of Prime Minister Gilani should not be considered as reactive. Pakistan is a sovereign country (despite challenges) and has the right to choose its friends and explore options for positive relationships other than the US. Pakistan is not bound to have a one-track relationship with the world through the US. The US raid in Abbottabad created a perception that Pakistan’s air force is weak and compromised, prompting India to remark that it could carry out similar attacks on jihadi outfits in Pakistan. Like a true friend, the Chinese have agreed to speed up the production and delivery of 50 JF-17 Thunder aircraft for Pakistan. This has not only sent a clear signal to the world that China stands by Pakistan but will actually strengthen our air defense against any such misadventure. Gwadar port: China has a keen interest that Pakistan’s vision to become a trade and energy corridor, which links Central Asia, Russia and China with the warm waters of the Arabian Sea should become a reality. If the Gwadar Port develops and is linked with rail and road infrastructure, China’s interests will also be served. Compared to shipping from the eastern seaports, trade through Pakistan will tremendously ease trade for China. China wants to develop its relatively undeveloped interior western regions. The best way to achieve this is to provide an outlet for the region through Gwadar. The Chinese have agreed to take over the operation of Gwadar Port after the contract with the Singapore Port Authority expires in anticipation of this dream becoming a reality. China has stakes in a developed and prosperous Pakistan and is ready to help it grow. Is Pakistan ready to avail this opportunity and develop the capacity to take advantage of Chinese generosity? SECOND EDITORIAL: Attack on US Consulate staff Another day, another attack. An improvised explosive device (IED) struck two bulletproof Land Cruisers of the US Consulate staff in Peshawar on Friday, injuring 11 people and killing one passerby. Two consulate personnel suffered minor injuries in this first attack on US diplomats after the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. This comes in a sequence of similar attacks that have been taking place throughout the country since al Qaeda’s leader was killed, including against Saudi personnel in their Karachi consulate. It is feared that this is just the beginning as the extremists might be getting warmed up to fulfil their pledge of revenge against Pakistan, the US and other countries that had a part to play in bin Laden’s death. Other NATO countries too are on the terrorists’ hit list. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the Peshawar attack and have declared it retribution for bin Laden’s death at the hands of US Navy SEALs. When such a red alert situation exists in the country, it is shameful that adequate security measures are still lacking to prevent such attacks from taking place. Just as Osama was a high value target for the US, likewise, US, European, Saudi and even Pakistani citizens are high-value targets for the militants. To have foreign and our own citizens under threat on our shores and to be woefully unequipped to protect them is pathetic, to say the least. It is almost as if the security forces in Pakistan are too de-motivated in the face of a murky, bloodthirsty enemy. The area where this latest attack took place, University Town, is considered to be one of the more posh residential locations in Peshawar. It is a community where foreigners usually live. For a militant onslaught to take place there shows that even the most well-off of places is unsafe, what to say of the rest of the country. The security and law enforcement agencies have to get their act together. Our intelligence establishment cannot afford to fall asleep (again?) in the wake of the bin Laden episode and our police and security forces need better methods of detection and prevention. Arrangements must be made to better police the streets and allow citizens, whether international or local, to move about without incurring the risk of being blown to bits. * Home | Editorial

Fiffteen by William Stafford

The poem Fifteen by William Stafford, describes the ideas of a young teenager and imaginations when he sees a motorcycle at the side of the rail, It tells us of how the main character gets familiar with adulthood and starts getting mature, it gives us changes. The author in his poem describes the ideas and temptations that a fifteen year old would have, and it gives us a message of how when you are blinded of your teenage dreams, at the same time to take and decide the correct paths and decisions. In the first stanza William Stafford stops realization. He describes a motorcycle below a bridge.The cycle is abandoned, â€Å"engine running as it lay on its side, ticking over slowly in the high grass. † To begin his poem Stafford gives us a location, â€Å"South of the Bridge on Seventeenth. † If one were to assume that we as people, traveled metaphorically in any direction I would think it to be north for example: â€Å"Up† for all different purposes. Staffordâ€⠄¢s character is south, not necessarily heading south, but he is south in relation to the bridge. Changes are like bridges, connections between one span of life and the next. Points where the road which below is much less stable, where there aren’t miles of solid ground below.Changes are things that you have to get over. And thinking that Stafford’s age which is fifteen years, like us all, we are heading north, then he’s in for a change a bridge in the future. The motorcycle in the other hand was found â€Å"back of the willows one summer day. † Willows are beautiful flowing trees, their branches fall down and hide their trunks veiling whatever may lie at their shape from all on the other side of their barrier. Stafford’s character finds the motorcycle beyond the barriers of the willows and so we can imagine him pulling aside the waterfall of green and revealing the pefrect machine.On the other hand everything about the scene finds of a hidden trut h discovered. The high grass, tall as if to hide the treasures that are within it, and the willows, and even the picture of calm, warm serenity that comes to mind with the idea of trees in the summer. But the boy finds the cycle unexpectedly, he did not know or even awaited it. In the second stanza it connects temptation and imagination. The cycle becomes his forbidden imagination, it has a â€Å"pulsing gleam†¦shiny flanks†¦demure headlights fringed where it lay;† it is arousing him. First with its beauty it’s pulsing and shiny.It’s elegant and bright as described in the second stanza . Then it’s interest, he â€Å"led it gently to the road and stood with that companion, ready and friendly. † It draws him in. And for the first part he’s taken with it. He â€Å"admired† it. He â€Å"stood† with it. He was young and he saw the beauty as something he wanted. He was a teenager after all chasing his dream. These moments a re him being a child this is him before the â€Å"good man† from later in the poem. You can tell he is taken with it from the way he â€Å"gently† leads it to the road, he is taking care of it.You are not gentle with things that you think are not needed or that you dislike. One does not describe these things either as having a â€Å"pulsing gleam. † Possibly freedom and perhaps bliss are shown in stanza three. The character is imagining himself on the open road. He’s picturing taking the motorcycle and riding away on it. It gives to speculation if he, being fifteen can even legally drive one, let alone that would then surely be considered stealing. Assuming that he’s not there appears the forbidden imagination again. It’s not legal, not okay, yet he wants it temptatiously.Though, as for freedom and excitement, he clearly states that there is a â€Å"forward feeling, a tremble. † For example a reader would take this to be excitement gr owing inside the main character. He is confident. He is happy and positive at least because he is â€Å"patting the handle,† and receiving a â€Å"confident opinion. † He is indulging or giving interest, a word used to express freedom to do something enjoyable. In the fourth stanza Stafford’s poem takes a different direction shall we say, a new character is introduced, the owner of the motorcycle.The grass which is mentioned earlier seems to be hiding more than just the cycle, but also its rider. This also shows a change in the nature of the boy, a decision being made. He thinks and â€Å"thinking†¦found the owner. † The boy in a rush pushes aside his temptation towards freedom and excitement. He chooses. He does not choose to ride away, though, rather to be mature and responsible. To think of more than just himself and locate whomever the bike had belonged. The owner, thrown from the bike in the crash.The rider is â€Å"just coming to,† or el se awakening from unconsciousness he must have got from his crash. He had â€Å"flipped over the rail. He had blood on his hand, was pale† This man is not in good shape. He just crashed his motorcycle and had blood on his hands. On the outside he is injured and broken needs help getting to his bike. Physically, he is weak while it seems that the main character being fifteen, is not. He is strong which is connected from the fact that they are young, full of life as fifteen year olds are. But the rider once at his bike, becomes strong once again, he â€Å"roared away. He is not magically healed , he is still bleeding from the crash, but he has the inside strength of a confident adult and he still gets on his bike and rides away. Before leaving the man calls the main character â€Å"a good man†. To sum it up, the main character begins as a fifteen year old with a change a bridge in his future, he is beginning to realize this. Then he becomes, in the fourth stanza,  "a good man. † Most importantly, a man. He started maturing, learning of getting older, most importantly! Stating in my conclusion that the boy, as he finds the cycle and then after moments of indecision, returns it begins his own road to adulthood.He goes from thought of the temptations of the machine to giving it back to its owner and watching him ride away. So I took myself as an example, because I am also a teenager who has his dream and goals and will be facing adulthood myself. It showed us a mature boy who fought of his temptations and teenage dreams, and choosing the correct path of adulthood. It gives a strong message of spirituality which does pushes us forward of following our dreams but at the same time taking the right decision, as shown with the main character.

George Kesey s One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest - 1094 Words

To be considered insane one must have non-conforming perceptions, behaviors, and interactions that negatively distinguishes one from one’s community (Mayo Clinic). Furthermore for one to be labeled mentally ill, they would need to be clinically diagnosed as being psychologically challenged. In Ken Kesey’s controversial novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the constant question being asked by everyone is whether or not McMurphy is just an irrationally drunk character or is he actually struggling with deep-seated mental issues. However, instead McMurphy is reckless, foolish, and arrogant in his actions For that reason McMurphy, by manipulating his peers and in comparison to other characters is not insane, rather he is a power-hungry,†¦show more content†¦The Mayo Clinic says some signs of having mental illness are having suicidal thoughts which Cheswick clearly struggled from. (Mayo Clinic). Likewise, Billy Bibbit exhibits signs of mental issues by en ding his life after sleeping with Candy and blaming the mess on McMurphy who once again is able to manipulate the patients (Kesey). Again being in the state of having excessive fears and worries, feeling extreme guilt, and having suicidal thoughts reflects being insane (Mayo Clinic). The fact that Cheswick and Billy end up committing suicide shows how sane McMurphy is because of the depth and extremity his power of manipulation extends. The Mayo Clinic has said that having delusional thoughts, hallucinations and paranoia are symptoms of mental illness, which multiple characters aside from McMurphy parade within the ward. Although, the Chief is very deceiving of his character when he acts like he’s deaf and dumb in front of everybody but in reality isn’t, Chief stills displays signs of insanity. Chief is always having these hallucinations about the fog and is detached from reality when he thinks about things like the combine (Kessey). Hallucinations involve sensing things while awake that appear to be real, but are just thoughts created by the mind (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Harding conveys major paranoia which is his reasoning for being