Potato prices and production costs

Summary

Hilliard said farmers received £30–£35 a ton while breaking even required £75, and the Chair advised him to submit a separate question. The Minister then supplied import statistics, noting that most fresh and chilled imports and over 96 per cent of processed imports came from EEC countries, chiefly the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.

Colm M. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard Fianna Fáil

Will the Minister of State convey to the Minister for Agriculture the fact that farmers today are taking £30 and £35 a ton for potatoes while it costs £75 a ton to break even?

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Deputy Hilliard should put down a question on that. The Chair might indicate at this juncture that statistical questions are put down for the purpose of obtaining the information asked for.

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Seán Barrett Mr. Barrett Fine Gael

(Dún Laoghaire): I should like to be helpful.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Minister of State is not being helpful.

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Seán Barrett Mr. Barrett Fine Gael

(Dún Laoghaire): I should like to give some statistics to the House.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Only if they are statistics.

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Seán Barrett Mr. Barrett Fine Gael

(Dún Laoghaire): In 1982 virtually all imports of fresh and chilled potatoes and over 96 per cent of processed potatoes came from other EEC member states. The Netherlands and Northern Ireland were the principal suppliers.

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