MORE compensation is set to be paid to sugar beet growers who were forced to stop growing the crop when British Sugar closed its York factory.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has been campaigning for more compensation for the last eight months.

The new announcement results from Defra's decision to accept plans to give up 13.5 per cent of the UK sugar quota in return for compensation. Specific details of the compensation package are still awaited but the news has been welcomed as being some recognition of the shoddy way that York growers were treated.

Rosey Dunn, chairman of the NFU's regional board and a disenfranchised grower, said: "Obviously we will have to wait and see how much this package amounts to, and I suspect that ex-growers won't get a substantial pay-out, but I am delighted that at least we have some acceptance of the need to include York growers.

"Today's news is testament to the hard work put in over many months by the NFU's negotiating team and the insistence of current growers that ex-growers should be included. It may not be much, but it feels like some justice has been done."

The NFU's sugar board chairman, John Hoyles said the union has had a "tough time" convincing the authorities of the need for further compensation, and said it was a shame the UK has had to give up any of its sugar quota at all.