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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1982

Vol. 337 No. 1

Written Answers. - Potato Industry.

471.

asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the present plight of the potato industry in Ireland, as a result of which we are headed for a situation in which we shall meet most of our potato needs by imports; and whether he will consider a proper marketing board to safeguard the interests of growers, distributors and consumers and thus bring about an orderly development of the industry.

A proposal for a common market organisation for the potato sector has been made to the Council of Ministers by the EEC Commission and considerable progress has already been made towards its finalisation. A major aim of the proposal is to help to stabilise the market and this is provided for by offering inducements for the setting up of producer groups and also by providing for withdrawal aids in times of surplus. Any new marketing arrangement which we might introduce here would have to fit in with the form of common market organisation finally adopted.

Moreover, it would have to allow for free imports of potatoes from other member states. This latter requirement would present considerable difficulties for a marketing board of the classical type and so there has been a development in some areas where farmers are forming themselves into producer groups. Pending the adoption of the common market organisation, I would urge producers generally to follow this trend. It should also be borne in mind that the best defence against imports of potatoes is to provide a steady supply of good quality potatoes which are properly presented and marketed.

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