Deal may end sugar quotas by 2018

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has predicted that a compromise date of 2017 or 2018 is likely to be agreed by EU member states for abolition of sugar quotas.

He noted that while the European Commission proposes abolition of the quotas in 2015, this proposal is not supported by the majority of member states, most of whom are seeking an extension of sugar quotas until 2020.

“Ireland has been compensated for staying out of the sugar production business until 2015.