asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, with regard to the quality standards which have been fixed for various fruit and vegetable products by the European Economic Community (White Paper Par. 52), whether his Department have carried out any investigation to discover what proportion of Irish produce of these products conforms to (a) Extra Grade, (b) Grade I and (c) Grade II; and whether he will take extra steps to inform producers of the quality required for these grades, and to offer advice and help from his Department in achieving the necessary standards of quality.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality Standards for Fruit and Vegetables.
6.
The proportion of horticultural produce which would conform to each grade would depend on a variety of factors including the growing conditions during the particular season. The various associations representing the growers of fruit and vegetables have been informed of the quality standards adopted by the European Economic Community and meetings have already been held with representatives of the associations concerned to discuss the position generally. Further meetings are now being arranged with individual associations to discuss in detail the steps to be taken to comply with the standards. My Department will arrange for all possible advice to growers in the grading, marketing and packaging of their produce.