Skip to main content
Normal View

Potato Quality.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2004

Tuesday, 6 July 2004

Questions (89)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

121 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he is satisfied with the quality of potatoes here. [20166/04]

View answer

Written answers

There are a number of measures in place which ensure that Irish potatoes are of the highest quality.

Minimum quality and grading standards are laid down for potatoes sold for human consumption by regulations made under the Food Standards Act 1974. These regulations require potatoes for sale to be within a certain size range and to be clean, wholesome and free of disease. The standards are enforced by officers of my Department who carry out a significant number of inspections each year. Breaches of the regulations and other complaints about the quality of potatoes are followed up by these officers.

Consumer demand for the highest standards of quality and food safety led to the development of a quality programme for potatoes which now falls within the remit of Bord Bia. All major potato packers and a significant number of growers participate in this programme which covers all aspects of potato production from the field to the shop shelf. The standards laid down are based on legislation, best practice and market demand and participants in the scheme are subject to audit twice yearly to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.

Growers have also contributed to the quality of potatoes by making significant investment in potato storage with the assistance of grant aid from my Department. This facilitates an all year round supply of quality potatoes.

Top
Share