West Midlands Sugar Factory set for closure

6.02.56pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Jul 2006

Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands, Liz Lynne today called on British Sugar to reconsider its decision to close a sugar beet factory in Allscott, Shropshire that is set for closure with the potential loss of over 100 jobs.

Commenting on the announced closure, Liz Lynne, who is the Lib Dem employment spokesperson in the European Parliament said:

"The British Sugar announcement will not only be a devastating blow to the local workforce but it will also adversely affect beet farmers across the West Midlands region."

"The timing of the decision is rather bizarre considering the fact that sugar beet is currently the most profitable of the mainstream arable products, according to the NFU."

"If British Sugar are intent on closing this plant then they must ensure that workers get a fair deal when it comes to compensation. This decision will adversely affect hundreds of lives."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5145582.stm

2. http://www.britishsugar.co.uk/IsolatedStorage/94175874-67b5-4c33-9f38-380233f14049/RenderSystem/Gateway/Core/RVE67741fcb37a24905992b710c58007791,,.aspx