I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue. As the Minister is aware, growers in the Cork area have suffered a number of blows in recent years, the first being the downgrading and closure of the Universal Food Plant in Midleton which resulted in the loss of 18 full-time jobs and a number of seasonal jobs. Those losses impacted hugely on the livelihood of growers and contractors in the area. The most recent blow was the cessation of trading of the Cork Vegetable Producers Group, a company established to market and organise growers in the area. I pay tribute to Tesco which moved into the area and which is a very good customer of the growers.
I am disappointed that neither Minister of State, Deputy Davern, nor Minister of State, Deputy O'Keeffe, could not be present this evening, particularly given that this matter relates to Deputy O'Keeffe's constituency. However, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Moffatt, to the House. Will the Minister of State inform the House what Bord Glas is doing to ensure the future of the horticulture industry in the Cork area? Will he communicate with Bord Glas and ask it to set up some form of co-operative or growers' group in the area in order that products can be marketed and that standards and markets for high quality products can be maintained? We must maintain standards and continuity of supply. At present, a great uncertainty exists in the region in that regard. Everyone is aware of the difficulties being endured by members of the farming community and this is a major blow to farmers in the region to which I refer. I accept that the market is being sustained through the efforts of the Dublin Meath Growers Society, but the market may not be sustainable in the long-term.
I ask the Minister to intervene and to use the good offices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and Bord Glas to assist in organising growers and ensuring that warehousing and whatever else is required, in order that the horticulture industry in Cork, which has a long and good history, is maintained, developed and advanced.
The potential for the industry is great. I will not refer to it as an alternative industry, but it is alternative to what we normally associate with agriculture. I make this plea on behalf of the growers, contractors and workers in the area. Now is the time to act. I will be interested to hear the Minister's comments and I hope he will promise positive action on behalf of Bord Glas and the Department. There is a need to provide hope for the people of Cork, particularly those who live in the eastern part of the county.