Vol. 463 No. 2
87 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will agree to meet representatives of the potato growers before he authorises the importation and distribution of seed potatoes which could carry the brown rot disease. [5906/96]
Seed potatoes which meet the requirements for introduction into this country cannot be denied entry under EU law. Special measures are in place for seed potatoes originating in the Netherlands. Such seed will not be released until test results of samples, taken at the time of import into this country, show that the potatoes are free from the brown rot organism. Extensive publicity has been provided over the last number of months on the danger for the potato industry if the organism establishes in this country and on the special measures which were introduced for potatoes of Dutch origin. Traders have been urged to be cautious in dealing with potatoes which originate in the Netherlands.
