asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why imported potatoes from countries outside the EEC have been openly on sale in many shops in the Dublin city area in view of the fact that all such imports should be subject to strict plant health and veterinary import controls which are designed to prevent the introduction of serious plant and animal diseases and pests; if he has permitted the import of carrots and potatoes in recent months; and, if so, if he will indicate the effect on Irish farmers of this step.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carrot and Potato Imports.
25.
No facilities have been granted for the import of potatoes from countries outside the EEC and, if potatoes originating in such countries have been on sale in Dublin, they have been illegally imported. During the summer when adequate supplies of home produced potatoes were not available at reasonable prices limited imports were permitted subject to appropriate plant and animal health safeguards.
No imports of carrots have been permitted in recent months.