Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 7

Written Answers. - Regulations Re Shape of Bananas.

Alan Shatter

Question:

90 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the submission, if any, he has made to the European Commission Concerning the proposed new regulations relating to the shape of bananas; the action, if any, he proposes to take to allow continued importation into this country of bent as opposed to straight bananas; and whether it is intended to ban the importation of bent bananas into this State as and from 1 January 1995. [2730/94]

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

The quality standards for bananas, which come into force in all member states on 1 January 1995, were proposed by the Commission and adopted in consultation with member states. The purpose of these standards is to ensure that the market is supplied with products of satisfactory quality. The standards specify a range of sizes and qualities which cover all those normally traded.

The application of grading systems with minimum standards in the most widely traded fruit and vegetables is long established and is regarded as essential for trading purposes both within the European Union and in other trading areas and I welcome its extension to bananas.