asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the concern of growers of seed potatoes regarding the failure of the Potato Marketing Company to find markets for seed potatoes; and if he will comment on the prospects of finding markets.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Potato Markets.
31.
I am aware that concern has been expressed about some supplies of certified seed potatoes of the variety Arran Banner for which export outlets are not at present available. The Irish Potato Marketing Company, Ltd. has informed my Department that despite a general surplus of certified seed potatoes in the seed producing countries of Europe, sales of their seed for export this year have exceeded last year's exports by 10 per cent and in the case of the variety Arran Banner by 20 per cent. The company has already taken action to deal with as much as possible of the surplus Arran Banner seed by exporting it as ware and is continuing its efforts to find outlets for these potatoes. Should markets not eventually be found for any surpluses of certified seed of export varieties the company will take other steps to assist growers in disposal of them at the best possible prices.
My Department is keeping in close touch with the company.
Is it true that the insufficient market at the moment is due to the fact that there was an erroneous estimate made of yields and supplies during the growing period and that, in fact, markets were not looked for at the time because of underestimation of the crop?
As far as this could be true it is difficult to define at this stage, after the event. In so far as the forecasts were concerned, the forecasting was done and the estimates were made in the normal way. In the early part of the season around October when the first estimates came in, the indications then were that for various reasons then emerging the crop would not be at all as high as regards yield or would not give as much suitable seed as it ultimately did give. From November onwards the estimates were being corrected upwards all the time. It is likely to be said, in a year when all the other seed producing countries in Europe, including Scotland and France, have all surpluses, that there was this market that could have been got had we been selling more than we thought we had at that time. It can be said in retrospection now. It is impossible to deny it, but I do not think it is quite right.
Is the Minister aware of the unsatisfactory position in County Galway regarding the inspection of seed potatoes? Potatoes which have already been inspected and passed on the farmers' premises are being recalled, as it were, on the dockside and some are taken from each ton of potatoes.
This is a position that arises from the facilities granted to farmers of having inspections done on their own farms. Such inspections are not a guarantee of the continuing soundness of the potatoes. If they are inspected, passed and sealed as of a given time, a week or a fortnight may elapse before they are on the point of being sent out of the country, at which point my Department must ensure that what goes out is sound. A second inspection takes place and if some of the potatoes are unsound then they must be regarded. That must be done so that our trade will not be ruined by letting potatoes go out of the country in unsound condition.
Is the Minister aware of the difficulties——
I am very much aware of the difficulty.