I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to raise the future of the vegetable industry. The decline of the horticultural industry, particularly over the past ten years, has badly affected the growers not only in Rush and Lusk in my constituency but also throughout the country. In the mid 1970s, for example, there were approximately 2,000 vegetable producers. Today there are only 600. In 1994 we imported over £87 million worth of vegetables. In this context, it is hardly surprising that Irish producers have cut back on the amount they produce. Producers have had a difficult time with little or no price increases, increased production costs and competition from imports. Is it any wonder that producers are becoming disillusioned? Producers, wholesalers and retailers must ensure they have a future in this business.
In 1995 the market for fresh vegetables was worth £150 million; we cannot afford to neglect it. What is required to ensure that the market for Irish vegetables is maintained and, perhaps, extended to the UK? There must be opportunities that we, as a country with a good environmental record, can exploit. We talk a lot about our green image. It is time to put it to good use.
We must convince consumers that Irish vegetables are of the highest quality, meet strict hygiene standards and are produced in a clean and environmentally friendly way. An Bord Glas and Teagasc have a major role to play in this regard. A co-ordinated plan is needed to identify the market requirements throughout the year, especially those of the supermarkets which comprise almost 60 per cent of the market. Investment is urgently required to improve our marketing strategy and to enable us to avail of modern multimedia advertising techniques. The message must be conveyed that there is no need to purchase imported vegetables and that for most of the year home grown vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, swede turnips and cauliflowers are available.
We should compliment Teagasc on its achievements in research and development which have been of great benefit to the industry. However, more research staff are urgently required to supplement the efforts of the existing researcher who is no longer working on a full-time basis in the vegetable industry.
I appeal to the Minister at a time of economic boom to make further investment in the horticultural industry which, unlike the wider agricultural industry, cannot avail of intervention or support mechanisms. I compliment the Minister on his commitment to the industry. If he can secure the Government's approval for additional funding, he will contribute to the retention of existing jobs and the creation of new jobs in rural communities. I look forward to the Minister's reply.
