Three executive directors were paid no bonus last year after sharing a performance-related bonus of £201,000 in 1996, the company's annual report shows.

The total amount paid to the three men fell to £632,000 in the year to September 26th, 1997 from £770,000 a year earlier with non-payment of the bonus the reason behind the 18 per cent drop. Pre-tax profits at the company fell by 9 per cent last year to £49.7 million, hit by a variety of factors including an exceptional charge of £7 million for an EU fine, an eight-week strike in its sugar division and a partial boycott of the fertiliser business by the Irish Farmer's Association.