Paulo do Nascimento Cabral (PPE) has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission warning that suspending inward processing arrangements (IPR) in the sugar sector could threaten jobs and consumer supply in Portugal, Spain and Italy. The MEP argues that cane refineries in these countries depend on IPR to import raw cane sugar duty-free, and that losing this access would force them to pay prohibitive import duties, potentially leading to closures.
The question, filed on 15 April 2026, is a priority written question under Rule 144. Cabral notes that EU beet sugar production has grown for two consecutive years, creating a market oversupply that has prompted consideration of suspending IPR. However, he points out that cane refining volumes have declined over the same period, suggesting cane refiners are not responsible for the imbalance.
first, whether the Commission has assessed the impact on local economies in the three countries, given the refineries' role as regional employers; second, how the Commission plans to safeguard consumer supply if southern Europe becomes dependent on beet sugar from northern Europe, which may prioritise domestic markets in low-yield years, as happened in 2022.
The question signals a policy cleavage between protecting EU beet producers (by restricting imports) and preserving cane refining capacity in southern Europe, which relies on imported raw sugar. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it prioritises market balance for beet growers or the viability of cane refineries and associated jobs.
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