Vol. 465 No. 8
52 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he has met with tomato growers to discuss their plight caused by unfair competition from Spanish and Dutch growers due mainly to the devaluation of the peseta; and the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that Irish growers are supported in the same way as growers in other EU states. [10629/96]
I met with representatives of tomato growers on 6 February last. Tomatoes, in common with most fruit and vegetables, are the subject of a common organisation of the market and all member states of the European Union are bound by the rules of this market organisation.
While Council Regulation (EC) 2611/95 of 25 October 1995 provides for the possibility of national aid being granted for losses incurred by agricultural producers because of significant monetary movements in other member states since the beginning of the 1994-95 marketing year and no later than 31 December 1995, the Government has decided that this provision will not be availed of.
I would point out that tomato prices are currently running at levels which are in the order of 70 per cent up on the prices obtaining in 1995.
