andMr. Roddy asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will now state (a) the total tonnage of this season's seed potatoes sold to Portugal, Spain and any other purchasing country; (b) the price payable to the licensed exporter f.o.b. and (c) the total tonnage of the season's ware potatoes sold and the price f.o.b. and whether, as in previous years, empty bags are supplied free to the producer under the same conditions as existed last season, as it would add 28/- to 35/- a ton to the production costs if the producer were required to supply bags.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Potatoes.
Mr. Walsh
Having regard to the fact that the Irish Potato Marketing Company is engaged in commercial transactions in a highly competitive market, I am not at present prepared to make public, information as to the tonnage sold, nor the f.o.b. prices.
As regards bags, it is the responsibility of licensed merchants to pack potatoes for export in new bags, appropriately branded, or to see that they are so packed. The conditions under which merchants may supply bags to growers are for settlement between the particular merchant and grower concerned. If a grower uses his own bags to bring his potatoes into the merchant's store, then there should be no charge on him, but if the merchant has to lend him bags for the purpose and make a charge for that service, the amount of the charge should be settled between the two parties.
While I could understand difficulties arising in a competitive market, does the Minister require the Potato Marketing Board to keep him informed of the f.o.b. price, so that there may be some supervision to ensure that the margin between f.o.b. price secured by the exporters and the price paid the producer does not become unduly wide?
Mr. Walsh
Yes, I will know that at the end of the season.
Is it really true to say, as implied in this question, that bags were supplied at any time free to the producers?
Mr. Walsh
I have no knowledge of it.
I am informed they were supplied free in North Mayo, but I have no official knowledge.