40% sugar price cut proposal fear

IRELAND’S sugar industry is in the front line as the EU enters battle over reforming its near 40-year-old sugar regime.

European Commission studies have shown that sugar production is most vulnerable in Greece, Ireland and Italy - even as the Commission prepares price cut proposals which could condemn sugar companies in these countries.

Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler said last week: "A cut in EU production and probably also in prices seems to me unavoidable."