Press Room

Speaking following the Government announcement that Greencore is to receive the lion's share of the compensation package following the reform of the EU sugar regime, Macra na Feirme national president Colm Markey said he was very disappointed that farmers who built the sugar beet industry got a raw deal while Greencore received a golden handshake.

'It is totally unacceptable that the Government has given a Plc like Greencore the majority of the compensation fund,' said Mr Markey.

'The Government has given very little recognition to the unique situation in Ireland where Irish beet is processed by a public limited company, Greencore, unlike the situation in other EU countries where beet is processed by farmer-owned cooperatives,' he said.

'The demise of the sugar beet industry will have a devastating effect on the entire tillage sector and a detrimental effect on the rural economy. Today's announcement will rub salt in the wounds of farmers,' said Mr Markey.

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