asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the price of tomatoes per chip to Irish growers has dropped to 60p per chip; that this price will make many growers bankrupt; and if it is proposed to try to so regulate the market that a fair price will be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tomato Prices.
38.
I am aware that a seasonal fall in tomato prices has occurred somewhat earlier than usual this year due mainly it appears to less buoyant consumer demand on the home and export markets as a result of unfavourable weather conditions. I cannot see how it is open to me to regulate the supply/demand situation on the market. I am satisfied that export market outlets are being suitably availed of to the maximum extent.
Is the Minister aware that best quality tomatoes are being sold in the market at 12s a chip and that small and substandard tomatoes are being sold as cheaply as 1s a chip? Is he also aware that a considerable amount of tomatoes has come in across the Border and the net result is that tomato growers, who have put a lot of their money into this type of industry, now find themselves almost on the verge of bankruptcy and would the Minister not agree that before additional incentives are given to people to grow tomatoes there should be some effort made at a marketing policy?
I am aware as the Deputy probably is too that exports have been rising rapidly in recent years.
I am not aware, but I accept what the Deputy says, that there have been some imports as well. In fact, I was led to believe that imports had ceased since 1st June.
The Minister apparently is not aware that tomatoes are coming in across the Border and are being sold at what are considered to be much below cost prices. Will the Minister say whether or not it is proposed to continue to encourage the expansion of the tomato-growing industry without making any plans for the disposal of the crop?
I agree that the disposal of the crop is a matter that needs to be considered very carefully by the industry but, on the point of the alleged import of tomatoes, my information is that only 190 tons of the 1,000 tons of the United Kingdom quota provided for by the Anglo Irish Free Trade Area Agreement were actually imported this year and that the issue of licences for these was cleared by the end of May, leaving the market clear for the Irish crop by 1st June.
Does the Minister consider that the only tomatoes imported are those that come in under licence?
Would the Minister inform us as to why he refers to the weather conditions in relation to the supply of tomatoes at this time from Irish sources? Surely this is a question of the cost of the use of oil, whether there is more or less oil used for artificial heating, rather than the weather conditions?
It is a complex question. The reason why I referred to the effect of weather conditions was that consumption of tomatoes in weather of the kind we have been experiencing tends to drop.
That is a fair reply.