The Fiji Embassy in Washington DC has written to the Secretary of the United States (US) Department of Agriculture expressing its concerns regarding the increase in the 2007-08 refined sugar Tariff Rate Quota or TRQ.

In its letter, the Embassy has raised concern that the Department's quota increase in the 2007-08 refined Tariff Rate Quota is inconsistent with Congress's intent as expressed in the TRQ administration provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill and it discriminates against Fiji's legitimate access to the US sugar market.

The Embassy said that the provisions in the Farm Bill require that the raw and refined Tariff Rate Quota must be set at the bound minimum level and not increased prior to 1st April of each quota year in the absence of an emergency shortage of sugar.

It said that the Department's decision to increase the TRQ is the third time in a month where it has disregarded the legitimate rights of the traditional suppliers of sugar such as Fiji which has proved itself as a reliable trading partner in times of need.

The Embassy has partnered with the International Sugar Trade Coalition in pleading for more access for Fiji sugar into the US market.