Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 3

Written Answers. - Farm Output

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

27 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of producer groups which have been set up in the potato and horticultural sectors in accordance with the scheme of EC aid for the operation of such groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Brendan McGahon

Question:

38 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of producer groups which have been set up in the potato and horticultural sectors in accordance with the scheme of EC aid for the operation of such groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ivan Yates

Question:

58 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of producer groups which have been set up in the potato and horticultural sectors in accordance with the scheme of EC aid for the operation of such groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard Allen

Question:

70 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proportion of farm output of potatoes and other vegetable which is accounted for by producer groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

72 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proportion of farm output of potatoes and other vegetables which is accounted for by producer groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Paul Bradford

Question:

80 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proportion of farm output of potatoes and other vegetables which is accounted for by producer groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 38, 58, 70, 72 and 80 together.

There are eight producer groups officially recognised under the EC scheme in the potato and horticultural sectors.

The information requested regarding the proportion of farm output of potatoes and other vegetables which is accounted for by producer groups is not readily available from the records in my Department. However a recent report by Dr. John O'Connell of UCD, which was commissioned by An Bord Glas, estimates that producer group sales in 1991 accounted for approximately 10 per cent of Irish horticultural output where that output is defined to include potatoes and to exclude mushrooms, outdoor ornamentals, nursery stock and honey.