asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that Condition No. 11 embodied in a pamphlet entitled Growing of Seed Potatoes for Certification issued by his Department will cause great hardship to small landowners of fifteen to twenty acres in the Athlone potato area, inasmuch as a large part of these holdings is reclaimed bog land, and that maximum fertility can be helped by successive plantings of potatoes; and if he will waive the rotation system laid down in the condition specified so as to enable the persons concerned to avail of the benefits of the scheme, while at the same time improving the quality of their land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Growing of Seed Potatoes.
20.
The purpose of this condition is to prevent the spread of potato root eelworm which is a very serious pest of the potato crop. If the pest is not controlled it could have very damaging effects on potato production and on our export trade. Since the only practical measure of control is rotational cropping I am not prepared to waive the condition referred to by the Deputy.