Key steps needed for our food and energy security

WE note that the European Court of Auditors has confirmed that the forced closure of the Mallow sugar factory in Ireland was based on inaccurate and out-of-date information provided by the European Commission.

In the interest of food and energy security in Ireland and Europe, the Parade Committee makes the following recommendations:

* The sugar beet quota should be restored to Ireland.

* The site of the former Mallow sugar factory should be compulsorily acquired by the Irish State as the location for a new state-of-the-art sugar processing plant and bio-ethanol plant.

* Establishing this new plant will contribute to development of the food and animal feeds industry and to better crop rotation, an integral part of the farming mix in Ireland.

* Construction of this plant could be funded partially by the European Investment bank, plus cash aid payable directly from the European Commission as compensation for having provided erroneous information which resulted in the shutdown of the Irish sugar industry in 2006.

* This could be a co-operative entity, working in partnership with a French-Belgian based co-operative having expertise in sugar refining and bio-ethanol.

* This new co-operative entity should include all stakeholders (farmers, food/ energy distributors, workers, Irish co-operatives and end-users) to contribute to the share capital and help create 5,000 jobs in Ireland.

* With political will, common sense and co-ordinated action, this sugar and bio-ethanol plant could be in operation by September 2016.

Mary-Jo Mullarkey

Joint Hon Secretary

St Patrick’s Day Parade of the Nations and Regions

Brussels