asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline his proposals for developing seed potato exports.
Written Answers. - Seed Potato Exports.
178.
While the export of seed potatoes is essentially a commercial activity, it is actively supported by my Department. In addition to operating the seed potato certification scheme, measures such as plant quarantine, disease testing and micro-propagation, are in operation. These activities are aimed at the introduction of new cultivars from abroad and their rapid multiplication as well as the improvement of the health status of all seed stock.
An Foras Talúntais, in co-operation with Irish Potato Marketing Limited, has an extensive potato breeding programme aimed at the development of new cultivars with export potential.
Grant aid is available from my Department to supplement FEOGA grants for certain processing and marketing projects and this, of course, applies also to seed potato enterprises.