The European Union is planning to push more than 2m tonnes of surplus sugar on to the world market in spite of a World Trade Organisation ruling that such exports are illegal.

The proposal, which is likely to draw a strong rebuke from other sugar- producing countries, would sell sugar from the EU's internal stocks abroad to prevent domestic oversupply. The European Commission will make its recommendation this week. According to officials, it is likely to involve 2m-2.5m tonnes of sugar, compared with annual EU production of about 17m tonnes. The proposal, set to be agreed this month, will go to representatives of the member states next week.