asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the present position of the fruit growing industry, especially on the effect of imports of fruit pulp and jam.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fruit Growing Industry.
47.
The soft fruit crop is sold mainly to jam manufacturers. Some growers have written contracts with a particular firm, others have a verbal or traditional sale arrangement——
I regret I cannot hear the Minister's reply.
I apologise to the Deputy for the ill manners——
Nobody was talking except the Minister.
Is the Deputy sitting comfortably?
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister sitting comfortably? I do not think he is. He is sitting on a bomb that can explode at any time.
The soft fruit crop is sold mainly to jam manufacturers. Some growers have written contracts with a particular firm, others have a verbal or traditional sale arrangement with a firm and some have no arrangement but sell to best buyer. The price for each season's crop is negotiated between representatives of the growers and of the Irish Jam Manufacturers' Association.
In order to assist home production of soft fruits imports of fruit pulp of soft fruits are prohibited except under licence and licences are not being issued. Manufactured jam is also subject to import duty at the rate of 1s 6d per lb, full, 4d per lb, preferential in Britain and Six Counties.
Does the Minister consider that a full statement of the position? Is the Minister aware of what has happened this year with regard to the sale of soft fruit?
What kind of soft fruit has the Deputy in mind?
Is the Minister aware that following discussions with the Department during the week an extra halfpenny per lb. was offered for raspberries which still means a ridiculously low price, that an acceptable price was not offered for strawberries and that no offer whatever was made for gooseberries or blackcurrants?
The position is that there is no market for gooseberries— it was found last year and this year that people did not want to buy them. This is an unfortunate fact but it is true. The price negotiations that have taken place in the matter of other fruits are between the jam manufacturers and the growers or their representatives. In the case of blackcurrants, last year and this year both in this country and in Britain there has been an over-supply. However, the prices for some soft fruits have increased marginally on last year's prices.
Is the Minister saying that people should stop growing soft fruits in this country because there will not be a market for them? Will the Minister say whether it is true that Hartleys are importing under another name a substantial amount of readymade jam into this country, with the result that Irish fruit is not required for jam manufacturing? I have asked this question three times.
The fact is that fruit-growers who grow under contract are being paid contract prices. The other growers who sell on the best market take a risk that is probably not warranted. I dealt with the position regarding jams in my reply.
Fourpence on jam from Britain. How much has been imported this year?
For jellies, marmalade and jams, in the year 1969 an amount of 305 tons to the value of £48,000.
Would the Minister not consider that is partly the reason the Irish fruit-growers cannot sell their fruit? The Minister speaks about contract prices as if there were a written contract which must be adhered to. Apparently the Minister is not aware of the position that in 99 per cent of the cases verbal contracts are made and the plants are supplied by the manufacturers? They contract with the people verbally to sell the produce to them. At the moment the fruit is not being brought. This year the growers will be broke and nobody gives a damn for them.
This is not so and it is an unwarranted reflection on the association that represents the fruit-growers. The question of price negotiation is a matter between the jam manufacturers and the fruit-growers and is one of hard business bargaining.
If the people who asked me to raise this matter in the House were satisfied with the bargain I hardly think they would have asked me to look into the matter.
Can the Minister say who issues the licences to import jams, jellies and marmalades?
That is a separate question.
The Minister has just stated that a large amount of jams and jellies are being imported. Would the Minister state whether the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries or the Department of Industry and Commerce grant the licences?
There is no question of granting licences referred to in Question No. 47. It is a separate question.
The matter the Deputy has mentioned is unrelated to the question.
Has the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries granted those licences?
I have already stated that it is a separate question. I am calling Question No.48.
Somebody granted a licence. That is the point. Soft fruit is not wanted in the EEC.
Who obtained the licences—Tacateers?
Is that a question?
I am calling Question No. 48. We cannot discuss this matter all afternoon.