Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
840. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made in securing certified seed potato for the 2022 and subsequent planting seasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4545/22]
View answer842. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the existing targets for seed potato production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4547/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 840 and 842 together.
There is an increased interest from major seed potato contractors in placing contracts for seed with Irish growers in the wake of Brexit, as evidenced by a 23% increase in the area of seed certified here in 2021.
However, it will take some time to develop significant areas and supply of seed potatoes for the specific varieties preferred by Irish consumers. One option for growers for next year’s crop will be to retain farm-saved seed from the 2021 crop to mitigate the supply issue to the extent possible in the short-term. Alternatively, seed of alternative varieties may be sourced from other Member States such as the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium.
My Department will offer as much support as trade regulations permit, but further expansion of the seed area must be industry-led. This expansion should be assisted in the coming years by the availability of seed of our main variety Rooster, whose Plant Breeder’s Rights expired at the end of 2021.
In addition, my Department actively supports the production of mini-tubers through the Tops Potato Centre in Raphoe, Co. Donegal. To ensure that the Tops Potato Centre can cater for future demand, significant capital investment has recently been provided. The Department has also approved a number of commercial facilities to produce mini-tubers to cater for any future expansion of the seed potato sector.
In addition, my Department operates the Seed Certification Scheme for the production of certified seed and it will make available all necessary resources to ensure that all seed crops entered for the scheme are certified to the highest standards.
I am committed to the redevelopment of a native potato seed industry in Ireland and will support the industry in that goal.
