RYEDALE MP John Greenway has quizzed the Prime Minister Tony Blair over changes to the EU sugar regime.

The European Commission has announced that sugar would be included in the list of commodities in its Everything But Arms policy. This would allow the world's 40 least-developed countries to export it to the UK free of duty and quotas.

North Yorkshire MPs fear this could hit sugar beet producers in the Vale of York and the British Sugar Factory in York.

Mr Greenway told MPs of the "deep anxiety" among sugar growers in the UK. "Why should Britain suffer quota cuts in sugar when we have only 50pc self-sufficiency and other member states have a massive surplus?"

Mr Blair recognised the strength of Mr Greenway's argument. "We are concerned about the proposal," he said.

Mr Blair stressed the Government would work with its European partners to find a solution to the threat to Britain's sugar businesses.