Beet growers pessimistic over future of trade

THERE is an air of pessimism among the country’s 3,700 beet growers as they await today’s well-signalled reform package from the European Commission.

Anthony Collins, who farms in Mogeely, in the tillage heartland of east Cork, fears the worst and has cancelled an order for a new tractor.

But while he is pessimistic, he also makes it clear he does not want to see Ireland throwing in the towel on an industry that has played a vital role in the economy of rural Ireland for generations.