John Gormley
Ceist:116 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the history of the sugar quota at Irish Sugar; the beneficial owner of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31799/01]
Written Answers. - Sugar Quota.
The production of sugar in all member states of the European Union is regulated by the EU sugar regime. When Ireland joined the European Communities in 1972 a sugar quota based on traditional sugar production patterns was settled for this country. That quota was specified as an A quota of 182,000 tonnes and a B quota of 18,200 tonnes. The relevant EU regulation specifies that the quota is allocated to the sugar manufacturing concerns on the member states territory. Accordingly, in Ireland's case the quota was made available to Comhlucht Siuicre Éireann Teo., the only manufacturer of sugar here.
After privatisation in 1991, Irish Sugar plc., a company in the Greencore Group, remained the only manufacturer of sugar in Ireland and the quota continued with that company. The quotas remained unchanged until 2000 when, in compliance with WTO obligations, they were reduced in all member states. In that year Ireland's quota was 178,292.4 tonnes (A) and 17,829.3 tonnes (B). A new sugar regime began on 1 July and the relevant quota is now 181,145.2 tonnes (A) and 18,114.5 tonnes (B).