Potato and vegetable imports
Kirk asked how the Government would stem imports; Hegarty said imports were declining, citing action on potatoes and the new national potato co-operative. The Chair then ended Question Time and clarified that unanswered oral questions would receive written answers.
What plans has the Minister of State to stem the tide of potato and vegetable imports into the country at this time?
Comment on this
Potato and vegetable imports are on the downward trend and have been so since we took action, especially with regard to potatoes. We have also set up a national potato co-operative. This started out as a producer group who found that they had marketing problems, and they have come together with a group of people on the marketing side and formed a marketing arm for this. It is hoped that they will work in conjunction with the vegetable co-operatives to do exactly as the Deputy says. We are having a good deal of success in the areas of ordinary vegetables. Our biggest problem is to spread our wings in those areas of production where we are not very proficient, that is in the production of lettuce, carrots and such crops on an all the year round basis.
