Naughten advises no sugar beet tax

Sugar beet is one of the best raw materials for ethanol production, but it is not economical without excise reduction or removal, says Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten.

He was addressing a meeting in Templemore, Co Tipperary, where he also described the proposed closure of Carlow sugar factory as a cynical move in advance of any reform of the EU sugar regime.

He said the Government could be doing more to look beyond mere sugar production to harnessing sugar beet growth for bio-energy. Mr Naughten said this may or may not require direct investment, other than excise concessions.