Sugar factory closure will not affect EU talks, says Coughlan

THE Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan, has rejected claims that the decision to close Carlow Sugar Factory undermines her position in the crucial European sugar reform negotiations.

Beet growers, workers, and politicians, including Minister of State Tom Parlon, have claimed the decision by Irish Sugar, part of Greencore, was pre-emptive and would undermine the Minister in the negotiations now underway in Brussels.

“My view, and that of those I have spoken to and from whom I have taken advice, is that this in no way undermines, from a sugar beet point of view, the negotiations that will take place,” Ms Coughlan said.