IFA and Greencore in battle for EU sugar compensation
16/03/2006 - 08:53:55The Irish Farmers Association and Greencore are both demanding the majority of EU compensation arising out of reform of the European sugar market.
Yesterday, Greencore announced the closure of Ireland's last sugar factory in Mallow as a result of the reforms.
The company claims it is entitled to 90% of the €146m in compensation that the Irish Government has secured from the EU.
However, the IFA claims beet-growers are entitled to more than €100m of t he money, while SIPTU wants Greencore workers to get a substantial share of the money.
Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan has said the compensation will be divided later this year after she receives independent advice on how to allocate the cash.
