Emmet Stagg
Question:70 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, his Department has to attract more growers into the dessert apple production sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19462/97]
Written Answers. - Fruit Farming.
Dessert apples are covered under a common organisation of the market and are in surplus in the community. Accordingly we are precluded from aiding planting of new orchards. Producers have benefited from grant-aid for storage, grading and specialised equipment under a number of schemes operated by my Department. Teagasc provides training and advice and An Bord Glas is active in promoting consumption of apples. Under the reformed common organisation of the market for fruit and vegetables officially recognised producer organisations can have their operational programmes co-financed by the European Union through my Department.