THE crisis facing sugar beet farmers if EU proposals to cut tariffs for Third-World imports go ahead is to be discussed this week in Worcestershire.

Euro MP for the West Midlands, Philip Bushill-Matthews, is to visit the British Sugar Plant in Kidderminster to meet farmers and producers.

"The West Midlands, with its smaller processing factories, is particularly vulnerable," said Mr Bushill-Matthews.

"Nationally, 23,000 jobs could be at risk - much more than at Rover - yet the Government has done nothing whatever to explain the particular importance of sugar beet as a break crop for UK arable farmers.

"It's not bothered to stand up to the EU on this issue."

He has called for a full evaluation and impact study to be carried out before next month when EU commissioners are expected to make a final decision on the proposals.

Mark Simpson, prospective Tory candidate for the Wyre Forest, has pledged to follow up Friday's visit in the New Year.

"Labour ministers have shown they either don't understand the problem or they simply don't care," he said.

"We have to shame them into action before it's too late."

Friday's visit is due to take place at 3pm.