Sugar industry revival ‘could get EU funding’

Money to help revive the country’s sugar industry could be found in the EU’s regional budget, Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly believes following a meeting with the European commissioner responsible.

A feasibility study said that 5,000 jobs could be created from growing sugar beet and manufacturing sugar and bio-ethanol in a new factory that would require an investment of €350m.

Mr Kelly met Johannes Hahn, the regional affairs commissioner, in Strasbourg yesterday and outlined the case for restarting the country’s sugar industry, pointing out it would offer new income source for farmers, eliminate imports of up to €200m a year and help the country meet its commitment to replace 10% of its energy needs with bio-fuel.