(Limerick West): This Bill will enable the Minister to introduce regulations for the proper grading and packaging of potatoes. I would ask him to ensure that this new system starts smoothly. Every possible advice should be made available by ACOT and there must be close working arrangements between the officers of the Department and the ACOT advisers. The advisory programme must focus on two major shortcomings at consumer level, mechanical damage to potatoes and disease of potatoes. I hope the Minister will give the House some indication of the regulations to be introduced under section 5.
The Minister referred to potato co-ops. I hope such organisations will receive positive support from the Minister and that grants will be made available through FEOGA for the promotion of those co-ops. The Government should make the necessary funds available to such groups on a pound for pound basis. It does not seem likely that that will happen because an enormous amount of money has been left unclaimed by the Government in Brussels. I accept that the Minister of State is concerned about the promotion of the potato industry and the setting up of co-ops and I hope he will ensure that the necessary funds are made available.
The Minister told us that the Bill provides for a system of registration of all who grow and pack potatoes for sale. He went on to point out that in future it will be illegal to sell potatoes other than those grown or packed by registered growers and packers. How does the Minister propose to ensure that potatoes will come from a registered grower and are packed by a registered packer? I presume that grading standards will be laid down by the Department but, in the event of a dispute between the official of the Department and the farmer, who will arbitrate?
It is important that we ensure that unregistered growers do not have an opportunity to sell potatoes through a registered packer. We are concerned at the size of the fine to be imposed. Under section 8 the maximum fine is £1,000 and on Committee State we will consider putting forward an amendment to reduce that amount. The amount of the fine is excessive. We hope to be able to strengthen some of the provisions by the addition of amendments. It is important that growers are organised. In addition it is necessary to integrate the other main agencies concerned in the industry. If the horticultural industry is to achieve its full potential we must ensure that it has the home market within its grasp. The home market, unfortunately, is slipping away from native producers. In order to achieve full potential the industry must be in a position to export. Success in that area will leave it in a strong position to withstand any further assaults on our home market. Our competitors are getting stronger daily and adopting more sophisticated marketing techniques. A united and integrated approach by all concerned is needed to put the Irish potato industry into a prominent position on the home and export markets.