A Fine Gael MEP has called on the sugar company, Greencore, to clearly state its intentions in relation to sugar production in Ireland on foot of industry reform proposals tabled by the EU Commission.
Mairead McGuinness said that according to senior officials the closure of the Greencore Carlow plant cannot be included in the restructuring package which provides compensation for the sale of sugar quota.
She was speaking as EU Agriculture ministers debated the new reform proposals in Brussels today.
Ms McGuinness said her own view is that Greencore holds the trump card in Ireland and it is the company which will decide the future of the Irish sugar industry and whether growers who are forced to exit sugar beet production actually receive compensation.
Ms McGuinness said many growers in the Carlow region believe they have no future in growing beet and are rightly seeking a decent exit package.
In order for the growers to receive compensation, she said, it would appear that Greencore would have to include sugar quota in the restructuring scheme and said the company has not yet indicated if it is prepared to do so.
