Vol. 561 No. 3
83 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views regarding the number of operators leaving the mushroom industry; if he will carry out a review of the industry, with a view to sustaining those involved in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4178/03]
The current system of mushroom production evolved in the 1980s where growers invested in facilities, which included in the main up to three growing houses with ancillary packing and heating facilities with family labour being the predominant source of the labour supply. Some of the growers now exiting the industry are the owners of such units, which are now reaching the end of their technical and economic life. However, mushroom output has been maintained by growers who expanded beyond this original basic unit and invested in new equipment, such as environmental controls and new growing systems. Funding available under the NDP 2000-06 has assisted producers in this regard while the development of producer organisations under the EU grant scheme has contributed to improved marketing of their product. Currently there are 13 mushroom producers organisations in existence and these were in receipt of grant aid of the order of €2.77 million in 2001. In 2001, total mushroom output was 68,000 tonnes with an estimated farmgate value of €128 million, which represented an all time high for the sector.
To help the sector adapt to the changing market situation, the two state agencies under my aegis, An Bord Bia and An Bord Glas, have jointly commissioned a study which will examine the structure and competitiveness of the sector over the whole production-supply chain. This study will be completed by early summer.
