Fiji sugar company refutes EU deal claims
Updated
Fiji's 'Sugar Marketing Company' has refuted claims its latest sugar supply contract was negotiated with the European Union.
Our Pacific correspondent, Campbell Cooney, reports the Fiji Sugar Marketing Company, has contracted to supply British refining company Tate and Lyle with 300,000 tonnes of sugar per year, for the next seven years.
In Fiji media reports and statements quoting the interim government, and some industry officials, have indicated the sale was to the EU.
The EU Delegation to the Pacific has refused to comment, but other EU sources have told Radio Australia it played no part in the deal.
That's been confirmed by the Chairman of the Sugar Marketing Company John May.
Mr May says the deal had to meet EU import standards, but it itself was not involved in the negotiations, and is not the purchaser.
