Bradford issues sugar industry warning

THE Irish sugar industry will die, if the European Commission proposals put forward for the reform of the sector are enacted, Senator Paul Bradford warned during a debate in the Senate.

Noting that Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan will have her first set of negotiations in Brussels on July 14, he urged her to fight to have the initial proposals rejected.

“There is no need for me to remind the minister that if the proposals with their substantial price cut and inadequate levels of compensation are put in place, the Irish sugar industry will die.