EU: Mallow sugar factory closure was unnecessary

THE closure of Ireland’s last sugar factory in Mallow, Co Cork, with the loss of 240 jobs may not have been necessary, according to a report from the EU Court of Auditors.

In a damning analysis of the EU’s €11 billion sugar industry reform four years ago, the auditors found the European Commission was working off old figures for Ireland that did not take into account Greencore’s consolidation as a result of closing its Carlow plant.

It also found the EU is having to import sugar because an insufficient amount is being produced in member states and lower costs are not being passed on to consumers.