Vol. 482 No. 8
73 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to introduce statutory instruments in relation to the rotation of the growing of ware and seed potatoes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/97]
Crop rotation is part of good farm management practice and in the case of potatoes is the recommended means of suppressing infestation of land with potato root eelworm. It is not in the interest of landowners to permit practices which can damage the production potential of their land. All land used for the production of seed potatoes, and suspect land used for growing ware potatoes, is tested for the presence of potato root eelworm. Mandatory control measures are imposed for land found to be infected. In view of this, I see no further advantage to be gained from the introduction of a statutory crop rotation requirement.
