EU plan threatens sugar beet growing

IRELAND makes no apologies for vigorously opposing the European Commission’s sugar reform proposals, the International Confederation of European Beet Growers was told at a general assembly in Tullow, Co Carlow, yesterday.

Minister of State John Browne told delegates from 21 countries at the IFA-hosted assembly that the proposals in their present form could mark the end of sugar beet growing in Ireland.

He said the proposed reforms have implications not only for sugar beet growers but also for those employed in the sugar processing and related industries.