Renewed sugar industry would cost €400m

A NEW sugar industry could be developed for Ireland at a cost of €400 million, it was claimed at the ploughing championships.

BEET Ireland, formed by a group of former sugar beet growers, launched the findings of an independent feasibility study it had commissioned.

It said the study proves the viability of re-developing the industry in Ireland, which was closed in 2006 as part of EU reforms.

The Common Agricultural Policy reform talks provided the opportunity for Ireland to re-enter the market with a new food-energy business model, the group said.

BEET Ireland said 30,000 hectares of sugar beet production will be required to supply the proposed new state-of-the-art plant to produce crystal sugar and bio-ethanol.

Michael Hoey, chairman, said the business will create a wide range of benefits for farmers, logistics, service industries, etc.

“Every Irish consumer that uses sugar in the home will be able to buy Irish produced sugar. The macro-economic benefits will result in significant new employment opportunities as well as improved balance of trade with reduced imports of sugar and new sugar export opportunities,” he said.

BEET Ireland said the project presents an opportunity to develop a sustainable Irish sugar-energy business. It will have the capacity to produce 250,000 tonnes of refined sugar and 11 million litres of bio-ethanol. Growers, investors and bank finance will fund the project.

Mr Hoey said that, if the EU quota system is abolished in 2016, this barrier to producing sugar in Ireland will be removed and the opportunity to commercialise the project will become a reality.

“It is now necessary for Irish Government policy to recognise the opportunity and to work with BEET Ireland to turn the opportunity into a reality.”