EU gives nod but no funds to sugar revival

Irish farmers seeking to revive the sugar industry can expect broad EU approval but no funding, EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said during his recent visit to Dublin.

Mr Ciolos told farmers’ representatives at meetings in both Government Buildings and at the IFA’s annual general meeting in the RDS that the EU is not opposed to Ireland reopening the industry, but that it would have to be funded by those driving the revival.

IFA member James O’Brien said: “The closure of the sugar industry cost 3,700 farmers their livelihoods. What view does the EU have on the future development of the industry, and can Ireland be given preferential consideration given the manner in which our profitable industry was closed?”