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Sheila Dillon explores the history, and modern day dilemmas, of sugar. World trade rules are forcing Europe to rewrite its sugar regime, with losers including European as well as ACP - African, Pacific and Caribbean – producers who in the past have been subsidised well above the world price. While many countries affected are getting out of sugar, others are diversifying, including Barbados, Britain’s first sugar colony.

Sheila Dillon talks to world authority on sugar Professor Sidney Mintz about the history of sugar, and its place in Britain’s mercantile and cultural history.

She is joined in the studio by Tom Lines, a consultant in trade and development commodity markets, to explain what changes the new regime is likely to bring.

Reporter Orin Gordon visits Barbados to find out how they plan to weather the storm – through a 50/50 split between special, edible sugars and cane grown for fuel, ethanol and power generation.

Jack Winkler, Professor in the Nutrition Policy Unit at London Metropolitan University outlines how trade impacts on public health concerns.