I am fully committed to supporting the revival of the domestic seed potato sector. Investment in the domestic seed potato industry is supported through a range of supports and budgetary lines within my Department.
By way of example:
- The operation of the Seed Certification Scheme for the production of certified seed. My Department will make available all necessary resources to ensure that all seed crops entered for the scheme are certified to the highest standards;
- Funding to the Teagasc potato breeding programme at Oak Park;
- Funding to growers for specialist equipment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II); and
- Investment of just under €240,000 in 2021 to upgrade facilities at the Tops Potato Centre to cater for an increase in the necessary disease-free mini-tuber stocks.
Projections on future domestic production and imports are commercial matters that are dependent on decisions made by those in the sector.
I am committed to the seed potato industry and will provide as much support as possible in reviving and expanding the sector. I think there is genuine potential here to return the sector to its heyday. However, further expansion of the seed potato area must be industry-led.
