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Thursday, 20 May 2004

Questions (85, 86)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

86 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of participation in sugar beet growing in 2004 as compared with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15099/04]

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Willie Penrose

Question:

85 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not received beef premium and extensification payments for the past three years; and if and when these payments will issue. [15089/04]

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Sugar Beet Production.

Written answers

The area under sugar beet in 2004 and recent years together with the number of growers involved in Ireland is as follows:

Year

Area (hectares)

Number of Growers

2004

31,500

3,716

2003

31,500

3,705

2002

31,000

3,716

2001

31,070

3,736

As the Deputy will be aware, the production of sugar in all member states of the European Union is regulated by the EU sugar regime, which specifies a sugar quota for each country. Under the terms of the regulations, the sugar quota is allocated by the member state to the sugar manufacturing enterprises on its territory. In Ireland's case, the quota is allocated to Irish Sugar limited, the only manufacturer of sugar in the country. It is a matter for the company to place contracts with growers to grow sugar beet sufficient to allow for production of the national sugar quota. The quota is reviewed each year in the context of the Community's World Trade Organisation obligations. In recent years, some reduction in quota was necessary. Despite this the area devoted to the growing of sugar beet has remained remarkably consistent.

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