Unity key to sugar reform, says mayor
Opposition at various levels is growing to the sugar quota and price reduction proposals which beet growers predict would wipe out the industry, worth €140 million to the economy. Irish Sugar employs 450 people at the sugar factories in Mallow and Carlow and another 200 temporary workers who assist during the three-month round-the-clock processing of the beet crop, worth €75m to 3,800 beet growers.
Mr Sherlock, speaking at an IFA meeting in Mallow, said beet growers were being urged to lobby all politicians.
“It is my contention that the IFA must include the workers of Irish Sugar in any attempts to fight these proposals. A broad alliance is necessary on this issue.
“Both growers and workers’ livelihoods are under threat.”
Mr Sherlock said the IFA should not underestimate the power of Irish members of the European Parliament to influence proposals. The European Commission proposals have not been discussed by the Council of Ministers.
“If the European Constitution is implemented within the lifetime of these proposals, the European Parliament will co-decide any proposals on agriculture. This will give more power to MEPs to decide the future of the industry.” A broad alliance would be more influential in lobbying than the IFA alone he said.
