Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004
401 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason there has been a 10% decrease in the use of Irish certified potato seed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27296/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total production area for seed potatoes in 2003 was 2% up on the area planted in 2002. The two main sources of seed were Irish certified seed and home grown seed. While the quantities of Irish certified seed used in 2003 were down 10% on the previous year, there was a corresponding increase in the use of Irish farm saved seed, resulting in a small overall increase in the use of Irish seed during the year. There was a small increase in seed imports during 2003 for certain ware and processing varieties.
