asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the prices offered to growers for strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries are substantially lower than last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Fruit.
39.
I understand that in recent negotiations between growers' representatives and certain purchasers, the same price as last year was offered for gooseberries and lower prices for the other fruits. I think it would be inadvisable for me to make any statement at this stage, other than to express the hope that, as in recent years, a mutually acceptable arrangement will emerge from the direct negotiations between the parties.
Again, is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that the price offered this year is very much lower than it was last year, despite the fact that costs, including labour costs, have gone up? Can he explain how the growers are to continue if they cannot get a fair price for their fruit?
That is pretty difficult to explain.
Has the price of jam gone down?
In view of the fact that the Department of Agriculture has been encouraging this type of production, would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that a floor price should be considered in cases where obviously a market cannot be found for the produce?
It is something that is engaging the attention of the Department but the fixing of a basic floor price creates further problems in the event of supply exceeding demand in subsequent years.
It does for the Government, not for the growers.
It is not a fact that this problem has been caused because the Department have allowed fruit pulp to be imported even from Iron Curtain countries?
This is an argument, not a question.
It is not. I want the Parliamentary Secretary to appreciate the fact that a number of people growing fruit are in a serious situation and want some assistance from the Department, and unless the Parliamentary Secretary can offer some solution, no fruit will be grown in certain areas after this year. Would the Parliamentary Secretary meet representatives of the growers or would his representatives see them?
Arising from the Deputy's reference to the importation of fruit pulp, I think the Deputy in a reply last week by the Minister was given to understand that efforts would be made to provide figures for the amount of fruit pulp imported which might help him to follow this up at a later stage.
The Minister said he could not find the figures. I had to dig them out myself. At any rate, he is getting them now and I am very grateful to him.