asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps which are being taken to encourage the production of soft fruits in view of the level of imports at present which are not of as high a quality as home-grown produce.
Written Answers. - Production of Soft Fruits.
134.
The major part of soft fruit production in this country goes for processing and output has remained fairly constant over the past five years at an average annual figure of 3,200 tonnes. About half of this went to local processors and the other half was exported in temporary preservative to processing firms in the UK. Imports of soft fruit preserved by freezing or in temporary preservative were also fairly constant over the same period at an annual average of 530 tonnes.
Under EC regulations there is free trade in soft fruit products. Imports into the Community of raspberries in temporary preservative are subject to a minimum import price. Also strawberries and raspberries preserved are subject to a minimum import price. Also strawberries and raspberries preserved by freezing or in temporary preservative from non-EC countries are subject to a monitoring procedure by the EC Commission to ensure that there is no distortion of trade.
The Department of Agriculture operate a certification scheme for soft fruit planting material to ensure that there is high quality material available to growers. An Foras Talúntais is carrying out a programme of research on a number of aspects of soft fruit production, including the breeding of new varieties, evaluation of new varieties and various aspects of crop management and husbandry. ACOT has assigned fruit enterprise advisers to the main soft fruit production areas.