Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Written Answers. - Apple Industry.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

52 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the expansion, if any, which has taken place in the indigenous apple industry in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26458/99]

The latest available figures cover a four year period from 1995 to 1998. These are based on estimates by my Department and show the area in production for each year as follows:

1995

1341 acres

1996

1327 acres

1997

1332 acres

1998

1372 acres

There is a structural surplus of apples in Europe and EU member states are not allowed to provide grant assistance for expansion of production. In addition measures were taken at EU level for grubbing up of productive orchards. There has however been an increased interest in planting cider apples in Ireland for predetermined outlets, but plantings of this sort have not yet come into full production. Apple producers have benefited from assistance for post harvest investments and from assistance for producer organisations.
Top
Share