Vol. 423 No. 4
171 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the encouragement and support which his Department give to the Irish potato industry; if he will report on the quality of the Irish potato; and if he will list the markets to which potatoes are exported.
Government encouragement and support is reflected in the appointment of a Minister for Horticulture (including the potato sector) and the establishment of An Bord Glas.
Officials of my Department operate a seed certification scheme which facilitates the export of high quality seed potatoes and helps to ensure a top quality ware crop for Irish growers. They also conduct a range of potato variety trials aimed at identifying and making available to Irish growers the best performing varieties in Irish conditions.
Teagasc operates a potato breeding programme and provides a comprehensive advisory service to potato growers.
An Bord Glas has published comprehensive five year development plans for the ware and seed potato sectors and these programmes are now in operation.
Lack of storage, leading to market over-supply situations in the early part of the season and scarcities towards the end of the season, has been identified as a weakness in the potato sector. This problem is being addressed by two schemes co-funded by the EC and the Exchequer, namely the Operational Programme for Rural Development and the FEOGA scheme of aid for the processing and marketing of agricultural produce.
Over the past four years, the provision of 40,000 tonnes of additional high quality storage and 15,000 tonnes of improved storage has been grant aided under these schemes.
Potato quality, which primarily depends on variety, growing conditions and post harvest handling and grading, is generally satisfactory. A recent Bord Glas consumer survey showed over 80 per cent satisfaction with quality.
Seed potatoes are exported mainly to Cyprus, Egypt, Canary Islands, Israel and the United Kingdom. Ware potatoes are exported mainly to the United Kingdom with small quantities going to Canary Islands, Portugal and Sweden. Other markets are being explored.
