Government fails to sweeten farmers’ future

THE abandonment of our sugar industry is the height of vandalism by the Government.

At a time when world sugar prices are rising, and predicted to rise for the next five years, it is hard to comprehend how Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan can be happy to dispose of this industry for a mere €150 million.

It is within this context that I welcomed the letter from Martin Ferris (Irish Examiner, July 21). Is he the only TD with the guts and vision to make his voice heard on this issue?

Surely, the fact we need to build an indigenous biofuel industry (for which the Mallow and Carlow plants are ideal) in a time of rising oil costs — and pressure from Kyoto to cut back on CO2 emissions — must sound alarm bells in Government departments.

Rural Ireland is coming under increasing pressure as far as income-earning opportunities are concerned. It is important to hold on to what we have.

The sell-out of the Irish sugar industry bodes ill for the Government’s commitment to argue the case of beef or dairy producers in the face of even greater pressure from the WTO.

Frank O Neill

Leadington

Lisgoold

Co Cork