asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that growers who received licences to export early potatoes from Waterford and elsewhere are dumping these potatoes on the Dublin market in competition with Rush and Skerries growers, who received no export licences because of the understanding that the Dublin market would be reserved for them; and, if so, whether he will state what action he proposes to take to protect the interests of the Rush and Skerries growers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dumping of Potatoes.
As all the early potatoes for which export licences were issued have been exported these potatoes have not been dumped on the Dublin market. There was no understanding that the Dublin market would be reserved for growers in Rush and Skerries. The reason why export licences were not granted to these growers was that they have a convenient and remunerative market in Dublin while growers in other areas have to depend on the export market, which is available for a strictly limited period and quantity.
Is the Minister aware that growers from the areas who have received licences to export potatoes are competing with Rush and Skerries growers who did not get these licences?
I think the Deputy will discover on inquiry that were the growers in Rush and Skerries to receive licences during the periods which such licences were available, they would have operated only to enable them to ship potatoes at a price less than that which they were receiving on the Dublin market, and it would not have advantaged them to take such licences.
The expenses of sending them to the Dublin market are nearly £5 per ton whilst the export price was free on boat so that they were losing £5 a ton by bringing them to the Dublin market.