Vol. 477 No. 1
55 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the initiatives, if any, he has taken to stimulate development of the seed potato industry since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8376/97]
The Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry 1994-1999 provides financial aid to the seed potato sector under two separate schemes, the producer group scheme and investment aid scheme. Under these schemes grants are available towards the formation and administration costs of seed potato producer groups and also for investment in improved storage facilities and storage related equipment. There has been a satisfactory take-up of investment aid under this programme with approximately 70 per cent of applicants in 1995 and 1996 being involved in seed production.
Under the Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1994-1999 — Food Sub-Programme — financial aid has been made available to the potato sector including the seed potato industry towards investment to improve marketing infrastructure.
In addition to providing financial assistance to the sector, my Department also implements an annual seed certification scheme for the production of high quality seed potatoes and conducts potato variety trials to identify the best performing varieties which are then available to growers. Over 3,000 hectares, grown for seed purposes, were certified in 1996.
