andMr. Filgate asked the Minister for Agriculture the precautions taken by his Department to prevent the importation of diseased potatoes.
Written Answers. - Diseased Potatoes Importation.
526.
The import of potatoes from all sources is subject to compliance with the conditions of the European Communities (Introduction of Organisms Harmful to Plants or Plant Products) (Prohibition) Regulations, 1980 (S.I. No. 125 of 1980) and Amendment Regulations (S.I. No. 258 of 1980 and S.I. No. 98 of 1981), and the European Communities (Seed Potatoes) Regulations, 1980 (S.I. No. 343 of 1980).
The import of potatoes from Greece or from third counties is also subject to the terms of the Potatoes Importation (Ireland) Order, 1920, the Destructive Insects and Pests (Ireland) Order, 1922, and the Colorado Beetle Order, 1945 (S.R. and O. No. 228 of 1945).
All of these regulations and orders prescribe conditions which are designed to ensure against the importation of diseased potatoes. The administration of the legislation is carried out by officers of my Department who inspect import consignments to ensure that the conditions are observed.