Vol. 452 No. 8
200 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has to develop this country as a major seed potato producer in view of its disease-free status and the fact that it is an island country. [8638/95]
Measures designed to promote the development of seed potato production are already in place. On the plant health side a provision was negotiated, within the EU regime, under which Ireland is a designated high grade seed potato growing area and protected zone status is allocated for certain plants and plant products including seed potatoes. These measures recognise the relatively high plant health status of this country.
My Department operates a seed certification scheme for the production of high quality seed potatoes. It arranges for the provision of pre-basic seed, conducts a range of potato variety trials aimed at identifying the best performing varieties under Irish conditions and for export and makes such varieties available to growers. Teagasc operates a potato breeding programme and provides a comprehensive advisory service to potato growers. An Bord Glas promotes the development of the potato sector and has prepared a development programme for seed potatoes.
Financial aid is available to the seed potato sector under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry (OPARDF) towards the formation and administration costs of seed potato producer groups and towards investment in improved storage facilities and storage related equipment.
There are favourable indications that these measures are showing beneficial results. For example, there was an increase in the acreage of foundation and super-elite stock grown for certification in 1994 over 1993. New initiatives such as the promotion of minituber potatoes are being pursued in An Bord Glas's development programme. There has also been a satisfactory take-up of investment aid under the OPARDF which indicates confidence within the industry.
