Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
798. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plans and guidelines are being drafted regarding the selling of Christmas trees in an outdoor setting under the different public health restriction levels; if his Department is supportive of tree growers selling their output in order for their business to survive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39942/20]
View answerMy Department is very supportive of the Christmas tree sector. Irish growers produce around 650,000 Christmas trees each year with 450,000 sold at home and about 200,000 exported abroad, mainly to the UK, France and Germany. The industry contributes €25 million to the Irish economy. The quality improvement in Irish trees has been facilitated by the Department’s Scheme of Investment Aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector.
My colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett has recently issued a press release, encouraging the purchase of real Christmas trees. Minister Hackett also confirmed that under the new Covid-19 guidelines, Christmas trees will be available to buy from the usual retail outlets, including garden centres and Christmas tree farms from 1st December.
It takes seven to 10 years of hard work to produce a good quality Christmas tree. Irish growers deliver high-quality Irish Christmas trees, which require year-round care and investment. It is important therefore, that we support Irish growers.
