asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider decontrolling the export of seed potatoes so that exporters may make direct arrangements with other countries rather than having to conduct their business through the Irish Potato Marketing Company, which imposes many controls.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Seed Potatoes.
I am not prepared to alter the existing arrangement under which the export trade in seed potatoes is handled by the Irish Potato Marketing Company, as I am satisfied that, in present conditions on the export markets, a central selling organisation can secure the most remunerative returns in the interests of growers generally.
Is the Minister aware that Northern Ireland which has six counties, is exporting approximately four times the quantity of seed potatoes we are exporting although they are free of control? There is a real market for seed potatoes and does the Minister not consider that the Potato Marketing Board has failed to fulfil its function and that it would be advantageous to allow farmers to make direct arrangements to export potatoes instead of being frustrated by the Potato Marketing Board who seem to have inhibitions about exporting any potatoes other than table potatoes?
I could not be induced to believe these operations could not be carried out effectively by some such organisation as is mentioned here. Surely all the arguments point the other way—that advantages must accrue to us in a general sense through employing the machinery we have for the disposal of both seed and ware potatoes.
If other countries can export four or five times as much seed potatoes as we are exporting, without control, why cannot we be free also? Why must we be restricted in everything we do in this country by bureaucracy? The figures are there and I can give them to the Minister tomorrow.
The fact that other countries may be able to achieve the end which the Deputy has mentioned does not prove that an organisation of this kind is not vital in our circumstances. To me that is no argument against this central organisation. I am not satisfied and I am sure the same would apply to my predecessor—that what the Deputy claims is true and would prove to be true, because after all we have evidence, I suppose from the time of the setting up of this organisation, that private enterprise, which might be able to handle the cream of the market available, cannot reach the distances we expect in the case of our seed and in some instances of our ware potatoes. If the Deputy invites me to accept his contention he will need to produce many more formidable arguments than I have heard yet.
Is the Minister aware that the Potato Marketing Board has refused licences to firms that have established connections in England on the grounds that these firms were not on the approved list, and further, that potatoes are being smuggled into the Six Counties and shipped from there to the English ports?
I am not aware of that, and I have not been asked that until the Deputy put it in the form of a supplementary. I have been asked what, in my opinion, is the general purpose of the Central Marketing Body as against leaving the market free and reverting to the position where the individual grower marketed his crop in whatever fashion he liked. I have given my answer, and it is one, the truth of which, the accuracy of which and the wisdom of which I am fairly solidly convinced.
Has the Minister taken into account in considering this matter the very high differential in prices against the seed growers here? The northern seed grower gets from £8 to £15 per ton more than we do.
I am not aware of these details. If information is sought on such matters as those which have been raised by Deputy Russell and Deputy Sheldon, questions should be put down to me on the Order Paper, in which event I and my Department will supply any information we have on these matters. I have been asked a question by Deputy Dr. Esmonde and I have given him my considered view as to which course is the wise one. I am not saying that I could not be induced to change my mind if satisfactory and convincing evidence were advanced; but, on the evidence I have seen so far, my view is fairly firm.
If I give particulars will the Minister agree to investigate?
I certainly shall.