Michael Creed
Question:132 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of commercial potato growers in Ireland. [6235/98]
Written Answers - Potato Industry.
Michael Creed
Question:134 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he will take to protect the interest of Irish potato growers in view of the proposed centralised packaging and distribution of potatoes by one of the large multiples (details supplied). [6237/98]
Michael Creed
Question:136 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the value of potatoes grown in Ireland in each of the years from 1995 to 1997; and the number employed in the industry. [6241/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 134 and 136 together.
It is estimated that there are currently 1,450 producers commercially engaged in the production of potatoes, that is, growing at least two acres.
There is no common organisation of the market in potatoes nor any form of intervention mechanisms such as market withdrawals, production quotas or export support. Consequently the sector is dominated by market forces which can lead to large fluctuations in areas grown and in producer prices. Estimates of annual output are published by the Central Statistics Office.
|
Output |
|
|
(£m) |
|
|
1995 |
75.4 |
|
1996 |
38.5 |
|
1997 |
40.8 (provisional) |
The number of registered potato growers and potato packers in this country is approximately 2,140. I do not have figures for total numbers employed in the potato industry.
A number of support measures for the potato industry are in place. Financial assistance for the industry is available from my Department for the setting up and operation of approved potato producer groups, and investment in improving the storage and marketing infrastructure.
Sums of £7 million and £4.05 million were allocated to the sector in the 1994-99 round of structural funding under, respectively, the Food Sub-Programme of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development and the Operation Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry. Grant aided expenditure under these programmes enables producers to improve efficiency, reduce losses, market quality products, and extend the marketing season for the potato crop thereby reducing seasonal dependence on imports and improving competitiveness of Irish products.