Factory jobs depend on farmers’ decision on beet
The call was made as beet growers ended a week of nationwide meetings on their future, in the wake of radical reform of the sector by the European Union.
Growers have until tomorrow to indicate to Greencore whether they are prepared to grow the crop for processing at the country's remaining sugar factory, in Mallow.
SIPTU national industrial secretary Gerry McCormack said the union is concerned that not enough beet farmers will opt to continue with beet, which is needed to keep Ireland's sugar industry going and to sustain the 350 factory jobs in Mallow.
He said the Group of Unions representing Greencore workers has also requested the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to seek an urgent meeting with the Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan to advance those workers' case for retaining their jobs in the sugar industry.
"Unfortunately the Government and the Minister seemed to have backed the Irish Farmers Association's position on compensation during the EU restructuring talks, without regard for the jobs that may be lost in Greencore," he said.
Cork East Labour TD Joe Sherlock said yesterday he is aware of a large number of beet growers who want the sugar industry to survive.
There are enough growers in the region to ensure a processing campaign for 2006, according to Deputy Sherlock.
