7 March 2012
Yesterday George welcomed representatives from the NFU and UK sugar beet growers, for a gathering to discuss this key industry which celebrates its centenary this year.
Employing 13,000 people throughout the economy, the UK beet sugar industry makes an annual economic contribution of around £800m. Far from being an industry stuck in the past, it is consistently raising the bar in terms of efficiency, productivity and sustainability. Sugar yields from beet are today similar to those from cane in Brazil and Australia, two of the world’s most efficient cane sugar producers.
The UK beet sugar industry supplies over half the UK’s sugar requirements, plus a wide range of co-products. It also exports 110MW of electricity, equivalent to a medium sized power station.
The event provided the opportunity to discuss challenges facing the industry and the impact of European reforms and was supported from attendance by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt. Hon Caroline Spelman MP.
Employing 13,000 people throughout the economy, the UK beet sugar industry makes an annual economic contribution of around £800m. Far from being an industry stuck in the past, it is consistently raising the bar in terms of efficiency, productivity and sustainability. Sugar yields from beet are today similar to those from cane in Brazil and Australia, two of the world’s most efficient cane sugar producers.
The UK beet sugar industry supplies over half the UK’s sugar requirements, plus a wide range of co-products. It also exports 110MW of electricity, equivalent to a medium sized power station.
The event provided the opportunity to discuss challenges facing the industry and the impact of European reforms and was supported from attendance by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt. Hon Caroline Spelman MP.
