Vol. 416 No. 7
10 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the estimated percentage rate of extraction of sugar from sugar-beet in this country (a) at present and, (b) ten years ago; and if he can give an estimate of the value of this extra sugar per annum.
The estimated percentage rate of extraction of sugar from sugar beet in Ireland at present is 92.43 per cent. In 1981 the estimated extraction rate was 82.27 per cent. In the period 1981-1991 the average estimated value of this extra sugar per annum is £5.19 million.
That is very significant information, in that it shows that the extraction rate has increased by 10 per cent. I would ask the Minister to use his good offices to intervene in an effort to arrive at a compromise in the dispute between the sugar beet growers and Greencore, formerly the Irish Sugar Company? The sugar beet growers are only looking for a proportion of the extra money being made by the company as a result of improved technology. Is it not fair that the growers should benefit from the increased extraction rate? After all, it is their product.
That is a separate matter.
It has to do with the extraction note.
The extraction of sugar from sugar beet, yes, but not the issue to which the Deputy refers.
The company have gone extraction mad.
I should like the Minister to express a view on that matter. Do I gather he is not prepared to intervene?
That is a separate matter.
It is a serious problem.
On what is the figure of 92.43 per cent based? The question asks the percentage extraction rate of the total beet crop. Surely there would not be 92 per cent sugar out of 100 tonnes of sugar beet?
I do not know that amount of detail but I will get it for the Deputy. There has been a significant improvement in the extraction rate.
I assume that there is 100 per cent sugar in sugar beet and that 92 per cent could be extracted with the use of improved technology.
That could be achieved with the use of present technology. I accept Deputy Deasy's point that the improved result is due to good farming husbandry, but I also point out that the company invested a large amount of money in new equipment and technology, as did the taxpayer. In the period 1982-87 the taxpayer invested £59 million to achieve improvement in extraction rates.
In reply to the Deputy's earlier question, I am very anxious to have the matter resolved but I am not directly involved; it is a matter for the two parties concerned. I shall examine the position.
Will the Minister intervene?
A compromise will have to be arrived at.
