asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the export trade in seed potatoes from Donegal, which totalled 40,000 tons ten years ago, now amounts to only 10,000 tons; and the steps he is prepared to take in relation to this decline in a valuable export trade.
Written Answers. - Seed Potato Exports.
188.
Exports of seed potatoes have fallen in recent years because of such factors as increased costs of production and competition from new varieties in the traditional export markets. In the current season exports have also been affected by adverse weather conditions during harvesting and by the high prices obtainable on the ware market. In an effort to increase seed production Irish Potato Marketing Ltd. have for some years been offering growers higher prices than those available on the export market, the company being enabled to do this with the help of a stabilisation fund built up in earlier years.
In order to help the development of the industry and particularly the export trade a sum of £¼ million has been provided by the Exchequer this year. This sum has been allocated between Irish Potato Marketing Ltd and Donegal Potatoes Ltd. In addition, my Department has been having discussions with representatives of these companies and the growers and will continue with them to explore every practicable possibility of promoting increased production and exports.
Questions Nos. 189 to 191, inclusive, postponed.