asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will describe the proposed operation of the national potato co-operative.
414.
Written Answers. - National Potato Co-operative.
413.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give details of the progress made in establishing the national potato co-operative.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 413 and 414 together.
The national potato co-operative will be set up by the industry itself under the auspices of the ICOS in consultation with the IFA. The draft rules for the new organisation are at present being formulated. Details of its operation will be decided on by the industry itself but the general intention is that the co-operative will have a co-ordinating function at national level for local producer groups. Its objective will be to bring more organisation, discipline and competitiveness to what has hitherto been a relatively disorganised and fragmented industry.
I understand that satisfactory progress is being made in the establishment of the co-operative. A number of local producer groups have been formed and some others are in the process of formation.