Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
843. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected increased production of the rooster variety of seed potato arising from that variety no longer having plant breeder rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4548/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Rooster variety of seed potato currently has the majority share of the Irish market. Any increase in production of Rooster seed is expected to be marginal unless there is an increase in overall demand for planting and consuming the variety.
The termination of plant breeder rights for Rooster will result in the variety becoming a free variety and will give greater access to growers to grow the variety to supply the existing demand and any increased demand that might arise.
My Department, through the Tops Potato Centre will assist the Industry in the supply of mini tubers in the event of an increased demand for Rooster.
