asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will clarify the effect of the European Communities (Introduction of Organisms Harmful to Plants or Plant Products) (Prohibition) Regulations, 1980 on the import and export of potatoes and wood; and if he will list fully the plants and plant products to which these regulations refer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import and Export Regulations.
15.
In the case of potatoes the effect of these regulations is that potatoes originating in a member state of the EEC may be imported from and exported to other member states subject to phytosanitary certification that they conform with the EEC plant health requirements as laid down in Council Directive 77/93/EEC as amended by Directives 80/392/EEC and 80/393/EEC. Imports of potatoes originating in certain third countries and which are in free circulation in the Community are also allowed under licence and subject to the same plant health requirements.
As regards wood, the regulations give effect to phytosanitary conditions prescribed in the directives relating to imports from all sources and exports to other member states of wood of conifers, Spanish chestnut, oak, elm and poplar. In general, these provisions apply to wood only in so far as it retains all or part of its natural round surface, with or without bark. In the specific cases of Spanish chestnut and oak some of the provisions extend to the removal of the rounded surface of the wood.
The directives and the regulations apply to the whole range of plants and plant products and it would not be practicable to list these fully. The plants and plant products covered are, however, listed according to species in the annexes to the directives, copies of which are available in the Library.
Is the Minister completely satisfied that none of these imports represents a danger, as far as disease is concerned, to Irish producers? Secondly, is the Minister aware that the existing and threatened further imports of potatoes are causing grave concern to our potato producers who are already operating in an unstable market situation?
In answer to the latter question, there are a number of special provisions in the directive to protect our present good plant health situation. What was the Deputy's original question, please?
The other was about potatoes, in particular.
That is the one which I have just answered.
No, it is not. The Minister has answered my second question. I shall put the questions again. First of all, is the Minister aware that the existing and threatened future imports of potatoes are causing grave concern to potato producers here? They fear the loss of their livelihood and devaluation of the crops already sown. Secondly, is the Minister completely satisfied that all of these regulations allowing imports in will not pose a disease danger to Irish plants and has the Minister sufficient safeguards in that regard?
Regarding potatoes, which is the Deputy's main concern, formerly we strictly used our plant health licences to limit imports of potatoes. Under the new regime, potatoes from EEC countries and from Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Malta, Australia and Switzerland which have a special arrangement within the directive, have entry here provided they conform to the plant health conditions laid down. We have a number of special provisions in the directive to protect our good plant health situation. The matter is being kept under strict review.
Could I ask the Minister not only to review the situation from the point of view of not only disease prevention but the danger it may pose to Irish producers? Further, what number of staff has the Minister involved in examining each consignment of these vegetables coming in, to ensure that they do not break the disease regulations, in view of the fact that the highly dangerous Colorado beetle was imported into Britain and may well be imported here without adequate checks?
That is a separate question.
I have not a specific answer to that question of the Deputy. If he wishes for a reply, I can send one to him.
Yes, I do.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister tell us the number of tonnes of potatoes in respect of which licences have been issued?
I have not got that information.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Minister tell us the approximate quantities imported from Cyprus?
I have not got that information. If the Deputy will put down a separate question, I shall try to answer it. I have not now got the information.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Would the Minister agree that potatoes appear to be imported from Cyprus on a fairly extensive scale?
I am not so aware.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister should be aware. The country is flooded with them, as far as I am aware.
This is going to have a serious effect on our farmers.
We shall protect them as much as possible.
There will only be scutch.