Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the discussions with Greencore on the distribution of the sugar restructuring fund. [16139/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has had no discussions with Greencore about the distribution of the sugar restructuring fund. The fund in question is to compensate for the economic, social and environmental costs of restructuring of the sugar industry involving factory closure and renunciation of quota. It is subject to the submission by the processor of a detailed restructuring plan for the industry following consultations between the processor and the beet growers.

Under the relevant Council regulation, at least 10% of the restructuring aid shall be reserved for sugar beet growers and machinery contractors with the proviso that that proportion may be increased by Member States after consultation of interested parties provided that an economically sound balance between the elements of the restructuring plan is ensured. The Commission Regulation containing the implementing rules for the restructuring fund has not yet been adopted.