Sugar imports and Irish industry
The Minister said sugar imports could not be prohibited, so the industry must improve its efficiency and competitiveness; the Government would consider this in reviewing the rationalisation plan. The remaining questions were deferred.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the action he is taking to protect the Irish sugar and sugar beet industry from the proposed imports by four Irish confectionery companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
As imports of sugar cannot be prohibited or restricted, the threat posed by them can only be countered by ensuring that the sugar industry here achieves the highest level of efficiency. On several occasions recently I have emphasised that if the industry is to survive it must be competitive. This is one of the factors which the Government will have in mind in their consideration of the rationalisation plan submitted by the sugar company.
