Vol. 436 No. 1
134 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give statistics for the most recent year for which figures are available for the quantity and value of trees and shrubs which are imported for planting purposes; the action, if any, that is being taken to give Irish nurseries an opportunity to compete fairly with Dutch growers who receive heavy subsidies for fertilisers, transport and administration costs.
About 2,300 tonnes of trees and shrubs, valued at £3 million were imported in 1992.
The provision of subsidies to the nursery stock industry is contrary to the common organisation of the market in live trees and other plants. If the Deputy makes available to me or my Department any information regarding subsidies being paid by another member state I will have the matter investigated.
Capital grants are available for the nursery stock industry under the farm improvement programme and the greenhouse grants scheme. Grants were also available under the Operational Programme for Rural Development (1991 to 1993).
