I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this issue tonight. On 14 October last I attended the opening of the National Tomato Production Conference in Malahide. The hall was filled to capacity with growers from all over Ireland, deeply concerned for the future of their livelihood.
I shared their deep disappointment at the absence of a Government Minister at the opening. I am aware that the Minister responsible for horticulture, Deputy Hyland, who has shown his commitment to the industry was taking the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Bill in the Dáil. However, given the crisis that exists within the tomato industry, and the fact that the growers were discussing the possible death of that industry, was it too much to expect the Minister of State, or indeed the Minister for Agriculture and Food, to be present to address the problems? Once again, this shows that the Government continue to pay lip service to the horticultural industry.
The year 1992 was an utter disaster for the tomato growers. I wish to give some examples of prices on the Dublin market during 1991 and 1992. In April 1992 the price was £5.96 per 6k box; in 1991 it was £8.15 per 6k box; in July 1992 the average price was £2.40 per box and in 1991 it was £4.47 per box.
These figures show a net reduction of £1 per box compared with 1991, which represents a drop in income ranging from £15,000 to £25,000 per acre, which is totally unsustainable. In recent years, the Irish tomato industry responded to the needs of the consumer and the ever increasing competition from imports. Production has increased substantially. Irish growers are now producing quality tomatoes with the highest standards of hygiene which compare favourably with the imported product.
Tomatoes are a very important part of the horticulture industry and in 1991 consumers spent £10.5 million on tomatoes. A recent survey has shown that 90 per cent of consumers who buy tomatoes believe that the Irish produce is of better quality than the imported variety. In view of this, I implore the major supermarket outlets here, in the national interest, to intensify their support of the home grown product by promoting quality Irish tomatoes within their stores.
The industry is in crisis with, for example, in my constituency, some 300 direct and indirect jobs at risk. If we are to entice growers to remain in the business, urgent action is required by the Government and Bord Glas.
Growers need a fixed price structure for natural gas to enable them to plan ahead. In this regard, I request the Minister to meet with the Minister for Energy and An Bord Gáis to initiate a favourable pricing arrangement for the industry.
A continuing problem this year has been the importation of non-EC sourced tomatoes, particularly from Morocco and the Canary Islands. Trade arrangements have been put in place which were designed to protect EC markets.
This year these arrangements offered limited protection to our growers. Accordingly I demand that this issue be raised with the EC and I have no doubt that support will be forthcoming from other EC countries, including Great Britain, who are experiencing similar difficulties.
When was the last time horticulture, and particularly the tomato growing industry, was raised at any EC forum? A case can and should be made by the Government to the EC to enable An Bord Glas to get regional structural funds for the disaster areas. This is a disaster for the tomato growing industry. Such funds could enable growers to overcome the current crisis and possibly diversify into alternative areas. There is a sustainable case to be made for compensation. I ask the Government to give further consideration to this and also to meet with the banks to try to support the growers. Finally, I ask the Minister to meet with the growers to discuss their problems.
