EU sugar proposals ‘threaten industry’

THE recently published European Union sugar reform proposals are more severe than anyone involved in the Irish industry had expected, Irish Sugar managing director Dr Sean Brady admitted yesterday.

“Indeed, it is fair to say that our worst fears have been realised,” he said, during a visit to Mallow, where the local sugar factory is being upgraded at a cost of €25m, following closure of the Carlow plant in March.

Dr Brady said the severity of the intended cuts and the timeline for their implementation go well beyond what could be considered incremental reform measures. Growers would get compensation equal to 60% of the proposed price cut.