asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to reports to the effect that producers' organisations in Britain are concerned about the future of horticulture after entry to the EEC; and if he will make a statement on the future of the Irish horticultural industry, with particular reference to Irish tomato producers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Horticultural Industry.
39.
I have seen reports to the general effect stated in the first part of the question. The general implications for our horticultural industry here of Ireland's membership of an enlarged European Community were set out in the study "Irish Agriculture and Fisheries in the EEC" published by my Department last year. As indicated in that publication, the industry could, with the dismantlement of protection, be expected to encounter increased competition. Because of the difficulties which could arise in the case of some horticultural products, we have raised in our entry negotiations with the Community the question of the arrangements to apply during the transitional period in regard to the removal of our present quantitative restrictions on these products, which include tomatoes. Our negotiations on this point have not yet been completed but the Community has already agreed generally that the dismantlement of tariffs between the member States of the enlarged Community on horticultural products should be effected at a slower rate than in the case of agricultural products.
As regards tomatoes, we have of course, successfully developed a sizeable export trade in recent years without any special export subsidies and I would hope that our tomato producers would be able to continue competing effectively in the enlarged European Community.
Can the Minister indicate what special steps his Department are now taking in order to have our horticultural procedure ready for all these changes?
The Deputy must be aware of the many assistances that are provided for the horticultural industry generally.
What lead is being given to the industry?
These assistances are given to the industry to prepare itself for entry into the EEC.
Does the Minister not agree that horticultural producers are looking for a lead? They are worried and they want to know how they should proceed with their industry. How are the Minister and the officers in his Department indicating how they should prepare themselves for these changes?
It should be obvious to the Deputy that the greatest single thing that the industry can do to prepare itself for entry into the EEC is to increase its efficiency to the optimum point. As I have already said several incentives towards this end are provided by the Department of Agriculture.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
I want to ask a supplementary question and if the Chair rules it out I will have no alternative but to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy should not threaten the Chair by saying that if he is not allowed a question he will raise the matter on the Adjournment. The Chair has no objection to the Deputy raising anything on the Adjournment.
I was giving the Chair notice in time. Surely the Chair does not consider that is a threat? I want to ask one short supplementary. Is the Minister seriously telling the House that he considers, in view of the fact that the Irish tomato industry cannot survive without foreign competition, that we have a hope of surviving with foreign competition?
The Deputy must be aware of the fact that in recent years the industry has developed quite a substantial export trade to Britain and which was worth £670,000 last year. They go into the British market and compete there without any protection.
They cannot go anywhere at the present time.
Is the Minister satisfied adequate progress is being made in the mechanisation of the soft fruit industry in order to cut costs?
That is a totally different question.
Surely mechanisation is relative to the efficiency to which the Minister referred?
Has any quantified assessment of the consequences for our horticultural industry been prepared and if so when will such an assessment be published?
That is also quite a a different question.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.