626. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department carried out any assessment of whether the 2023/2024 potato crop losses met the criteria for support under the EU Agricultural Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51817/26]

627. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department sought advice from, or made any formal or informal representations to the European Commission regarding the availability of Agricultural Reserve support for Irish potato growers affected by the adverse weather conditions of late 2023 and early 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51818/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 627 together.

The Agriculture Crisis Reserve is an emergency fund within the Common Agricultural Policy designed to provide rapid financial support when farmers face severe, unexpected crises that disrupt agricultural markets such as extreme weather events, disease outbreaks or impacts from geopolitical events.

It is not intended to cover automatic compensation for every loss. Instead, it is used selectively for exceptional situations where coordinated EU action is considered necessary.

By way of example, following Member State applications in Spring 2024, the Commission endorsed applications relating to damage to orchards and heavy losses in fruit production in vineyards arising from a sequence of events which saw an exceptionally warm March, below freezing temperatures in late April and then additional hail in some regions. The Commission described these as "adverse climate events of unprecedented magnitude" because the affected area was extensive and the losses threatened the economic viability of a significant number of farms.

My Department continuously monitored the situation with respect to the 2023 potato crop harvest across the sector in late 2023 and early 2024 given the challenges posed by the weather conditions in that period. The adverse weather impacted growers to differing extents around the country. However, the vast majority of the 2023 planted crop was harvested, with a 97 % harvested rate achieved based on industry estimates. Overall, the potato sector remained relatively strong throughout 2023 and in 2024 despite the challenges posed by the weather events of 2023.

In this instance, given the high level of crop harvesting nationally and robustness of the sector during the period, the criteria for making an application to the Reserve were not considered to have been met.

My Department provides significant support to the potato sector through various Schemes and remains committed to it.