asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware (1) that a consignment of 300 tons of crabs and apples have been recently imported and delivered to the new cider factory at Clonmel; (2) that a further large consignment is due for delivery, and (3) that there are available in Kilkenny and adjoining counties large supplies of crabs and apples, which were offered to the firm, and which are suitable for cider, and if he will state the quantity of such crabs and apples imported and the duty paid thereon, and if no duty was paid, the terms of any licences issued to the firm as to quantity and country of origin of the crabs and apples.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Crabs and Apples.
I am not aware of the actual quantities of apples imported by the factory referred to, but a licence was recently granted to the factory for the importation, free of customs duty, of a quantity not exceeding 400 tons of apples for the manufacture of cider. The country of origin of the apples was not prescribed in the licence, but I understand that the apples are being imported from France, and that they are of particular varieties which are grown specially for the production of cider, but not at present grown in this country. They are required for blending with our home-grown apples in order to produce cider of suitable quality. Before the licence was granted, all the facts of the case were examined by my Department, and the factory undertook not only to purchase specified minimum quantities of home-grown apples, but also to provide at their own expense large quantities of trees for planting (which is now proceeding) under a cider apple tree scheme administered by the local committee of agriculture, with a view to the production of home supplies of the particular kinds of apples which it is at present necessary to import.
Is the Minister aware that Whiteways of England and Powers of Dungarvan used to absorb all the apples grown in the South of Ireland before this factory was started, before the economic war started?
They used to absorb a certain quantity, and so does the present factory.
What arrangement does the Minister contemplate in order to dispose of the third and fourth grade apples which are grown by the thousand in the South of Ireland?
This firm will absorb a certain amount of the culls.
Is it not a fact that this firm has refused undertakings they gave earlier in the season to take Irish third and fourth grade apples?
No, it is not.
It is a fact, and I know it. Further, I would like to ask the Minister what scheme he has in mind in the way of providing an outlet for this class of fruit? Has his attention been drawn to the experiments made and the demonstrations recently given at the Imperial Fruit Show at Birmingham by the Long Ashton Research Station in reference to fruit juices? Is the Minister going to make any reply?
Is the Minister satisfied that the importation of foreign apples is absolutely necessary for the manufacture of cider?
The importation of a certain quantity of cider apples is absolutely necessary.
I have here a sample of the stuff. I am not saying that they are not suitable or necessary, but at the same time they will spoil the market for Irish apples.
Only to a very small extent.