Fine Gael call on minister to reject sugar reforms
Fine Gael's Simon Coveney has called on the Minister for Agriculture to reject EU sugar reform proposals at the EU Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels today.
The reforms are being proposed to create an open market for third world countries. But Simon Coveney said that the Irish sugar industry would not survive a 39% price cut in sugar and that the reforms would be the end of sugar beet production here.
He said that Mary Coughlan should take a firm stance and cut price reforms in what would be the first real test since she became Minister for Agriculture: "Yes sugar reform is needed, but the kind of dramatic price cut that's being proposed isn't required.
"This is a big test for minister Mary Coughlan in her negotiation skills. She needs to take a very tough stance at the Council of Ministers meeting today."
