asked the Minister for Agriculture if any assistance will be given to producers to obtain grading machines to enable them to comply with the provisions of the new grading scheme for potatoes.
281.
Written Answers. - Potato Grading.
280.
asked the Minister for Agriculture how the proposed potato grading scheme will operate in the absence of the provision of additional staff in the current year; and when the scheme will be fully effective.
282.
asked the Minister for Agriculture when the grading regulations for potatoes will become fully effective; and how many full-time inspectors will be involved in the scheme.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 280, 281 and 282 together. Grants of 20 per cent or 30 per cent of the cost of potato grading equipment, depending on the category of the farm, are available to farmers taking part in the farm modernisation scheme.
The regulations on potato grading should be in operation early in January next. Advance notice of the exact date will, of course, be given. Five inspectors will be engaged whole-time on the scheme, initially at any rate, and a further 56 will help in enforcing the regulations in the course of their normal duties.