SUGAR beet growers from Herefordshire and adjoining counties were among thousands from across Europe who went to Brussels last week to lobby EU leaders over reform of the sugar regime.

Under European proposals, prices for British growers are likely to be cut by up to 42% and they could reach 47% because of special pricing arrangements that apply in the UK.

"There is now concern in Brussels about the amount of opposition," said Nigel Roper, chairman of the NFU West Midlands Sugar Board.

"We understand the reform could now be rolled over until next June, which will give us more time to lobby but by then, we will be growing our crop and may not know what we are going to get for it."

The one-day rally impressed on leaders the reform must be reduced in severity if the growing and processing industry was not to be decimated.

Mr Roper, of Home Farm, Pencraig, near Ross-on-Wye, said the industry supported some 20,000 jobs in the UK and many could be lost.

Not only growers but hauliers, factory workers and the supply trade could be hit.

Restructuring could also mean transporting beet to other factories and reduced transport allowances.

"We accept the need for reform but any price cuts need to be smaller and the reform needs to be introduced gradually over a transitional period of several years," he said.

Mr Roper added that sugar beet played a significant part in the West Midlands farm economy.