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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1974

Vol. 273 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Potatoes.

71.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether there will be an economic market for the export of Irish seed potatoes to Europe in 1974-75.

Our exports of seed potatoes are almost entirely to the UK and certain Continental and eastern Mediterranean countries. Irish Potato Marketing Ltd., who are the sole exporters of seed potatoes, are satisfied that good export outlets exist in those areas and that the prospects for the 1974 seed potato crop are very good as regards exports and prices to growers.

72.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there is an EEC directive which lays down that certain types of seed potatoes may not be sown by producers and that only selected plots may be used for certain varieties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

There are two EEC directives on this subject generally, namely Directives 69/464/ EEC on control of potato wart disease and Directive 69/465/EEC on control of potato root eelworm.

The directive on wart disease, also known as black scab, provides for measures to be taken to prevent the spread of that disease from any land where it is discovered. These include a prohibition on the growing of potatoes in the contaminated land and a restriction on the growing of potatoes in a surrounding safety area to varieties which are immune to wart disease.

The directive on potato root eelworm provides that potatoes may not be grown on land where this pest has been found but a special derogation may be granted by a member state under which varieties resistant to eelworm may be grown on such land under conditions which give adequate safeguards against the spread of the pest.

The provisions of these directives are implemented in Ireland through statutory orders made under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts under which strict measures are operated to prevent the spread of wart disease and potato root eelworm. In fact these controls have been in operation in this country for many years before our accession to the EEC.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of these directives has nothing to do with seed potatoes? Has he made any inquiries regarding the terms of the directives whereby certain varieties of seed potatoes may be sold only where the order so directs? Before these directives are put into operation, does the Parliamentary Secretary propose to consult with potato producers so that he may obtain their views in relation to the quality and type of land that is suitable for the variety of seed potatoes that are suitable for this country?

My information is that there are two EEC directives in relation to the control of potato diseases. They are the directives I have mentioned, namely, 69/464/EEC and 69/465/EEC. Under the Treaty of Accession, the provisions of these directives were required to be brought into operation in this country as from 1st July last. However, similar provisions to control disease have been operating here for many years by statutory order. We were doing this before we got the directives from the EEC.

Could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if the cultivation of the King Edward variety of potatoes is prohibited under this directive and, if it is, why?

There is no mention in the question of a particular variety of potatoes, so if the Deputy wants that information, he should put down a separate question.

I can assure the Parliamentary Secretary it is illegal to cultivate King Edward potatoes and I am asking why it is.

That is a separate question.

It is referring to the directive the Parliamentary Secretary has in his hand.

Could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary why is there a directive to prevent producers from producing whatever type or quality of potatoes they have been accustomed to producing? It does not make sense to me.

I presume the producer can produce any type of potatoes——

No. They are prohibited from doing so.

——so long as they are free of disease.

Yes, they are free of disease.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

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