A European Court of Justice ruling will see sugar beet farmers and processors receiving back-payments for miscalculated levies for the marketing years 1999 to 2001.

The information was delivered by Minister Michael Creed in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil deputy Kevin O’Keeffe.

“The court ruled that the Commission was incorrect in calculating the annual levies set for the period in question,” Minister Creed said.

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“The Court also found that the method used by the Commission to fix the levies was incorrect because it led to an over-estimation of the costs to be covered and consequently overcharged to Greencore and the growers.

“The former sugar processor, Greencore and the sugar beet growers for the years in question will be reimbursed at a rate yet to be determined.

“My Department is currently assessing the implications of this decision. No further details are available yet on the level of refund or the number of recipients.”

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