asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of farmers in the country currently specialising in horticultural production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Horticultural Production.
9.
A reliable figure is not available at present but ACOT are currently conducting a detailed survey of farmers specialising in horticultural production and this should be completed in about a month. I will arrange to have the information requested supplied to the Deputy then.
Will the Minister not agree that since the collapse of Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann in the production of vegetables there have been massive imports. Is it not time that the Department of Agriculture or ACOT made an effort to ensure that we will not import fresh vegetables such as turnips, carrots and cabbages, as has been the case? This is a ridiculous situation considering we have the climate and the soil conditions to grow those vegetables.
There is no denying that and all of us agree with what the Deputy has said. A number of voluntary groups or semi-State bodies are getting together in various areas to do something about the matter. On the outskirts of Waterford a scheme is getting off the ground, where groups have come together and are providing valuable employment. This trend may develop elsewhere and it is something we should encourage. There is a national awareness of the serious problem of horticultural imports, particularly of products that could be grown here.
Will the Minister consider contacting the Minister for Energy to investigate the possibility of using natural gas, which has been done most effectively in other countries?
Six months ago I stated in this House I was anxious that natural gas be made available to growers, particularly to horticultural growers in the north County Dublin and adjacent areas when the pipeline is being laid to Belfast.
Would the Minister agree that the shortage of horticultural instructors and advisers is prohibiting the development of the horticultural industry? Would the Minister agree further that, at a time of such high unemployment, when self help would aid those who are unemployed — offsetting our balance of payments by curtailing our imports — there is a major need for his Department, in co-operation with ACOT, to ensure that there are sufficient advisers available in each county? Is he aware that in the west, in some of the larger counties, there is an average of two horticultural advisers only to cover the whole county? Would the Minister examine that situation and ensure that there are sufficent advisers available to farmers and all people interested in the horticultural industry?
The question, as drafted, does not give rise to a full dress debate on horticulture.
I am not sure that that is the sole or main reason; probably it is one of the many reasons. But then if we had money to do all of these things we really would not have a problem. Awareness of the shortcomings of our horticultural industry is not yet sufficient and, until such time as it is, probably we shall not solve the problem. But the message is getting home slowly.