Sugar beet contract acreage reductions
Blaney asked the Minister to address hardship from reduced beet contracts. The Parliamentary Secretary said reductions followed agreed principles and generally benefited growers, citing poor yields, handling capacity and crop rotation.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the hardship caused to beet growers who have had their contract acreage reduced by the Sugar Company; and if he will take urgent action to have the matter rectified.
Comment on this
I understand that, where contract acreages have been reduced, this has been done in accordance with principles agreed between the Sugar Company and the IFA, and has been generally in the best interests of the growers concerned. The main reasons for reducing contract acreages in any year are poor yields, inability to handle the previous contract acreage and particularly rotational requirements.