asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there has been grave dissatisfaction amongst home fruit producers at the handling of the home fruit situation, and that this was aggravated by large scale imports of fruit, and if he will indicate what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Native Fruit Production.
Mr. Walsh
I am not aware that there is grave dissatisfaction at the handling of the home fruit situation. One of my functions in this matter lies in the protection of home growers through the exercise of control on the importation of these fruits which are capable of being produced in the country. The granting of facilities for the importation of such fruits this year has been more stringently restricted than for many years past.
Is the Minister aware that in South Monaghan two-thirds of the entire damson crop had to be jettisoned because the producers could not sell it at any price?
Mr. Walsh
That was not my fault.
I understood the Minister to say that there was no discontent amongst farmers about the marketing of the fruit crop. I am asking him if his attention has been directed to the fact that two-thirds of the damson crop offered by the farmers in South Monaghan had to be jettisoned because they could not sell it at any price.
Mr. Walsh
And also in Meath.
Does that not represent difficulty and distress amongst those farmers?
Mr. Walsh
As regards damsons, yes, but not generally.
Would the Minister undertake to establish suitable industries for the handling of the homegrown apple crop which, in large areas, absolutely goes to waste? There is an abundance of fruit in this country. There is any quantity of apples going to waste. The wastage in regard to fruit is one of the greatest wastages we have in the country.
There is no wastage so far as Dublin is concerned because apples are being sold at 6d. each.
Follow the example I gave in Dungarvan.