Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I will do my best but I will be reading very fast.

Potato production in Ireland is mainly focused on the fresh ware market serving domestic consumption. Investment in storage facilities has resulted in the availability of quality ware potatoes for almost the entire year. At retail level, there have also been major changes over the past decade with the multiples exacting major influence on the market. Buying power is now concentrated in the hands of five to six retail multiples who control about 70% of the ware market and these multiples have largely consolidated their supply base in potato merchants who, in turn, are mainly serviced by large specialist growers. This has brought about a tighter supply base and provided for greater controls on traceability, quality and food safety.

My Department operates the scheme of investment aid for the development of the potato sector. The current scheme is focused on the seed producers sector. It is aimed at improving the production and marketing infrastructure of seed through investment in equipment and facilities for the production, storage and marketing of seed potatoes.

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