Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. He is a strong proponent of the seed potato sector. It is one with great potential, and I am committed to seeing it growing again and being restored to its heyday. This endeavour must be led by the industry, with support from my Department. As a result of the UK's decision to leave the EU and following the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021, the import of seed potatoes from Britain into the EU has been prohibited under EU plant health regulations. These regulations apply to all EU member states, where it is now illegal to import seed potatoes from Great Britain for seed propagation purposes.

The UK applied to the EU for recognition of equivalence under Article 44 of the EU plant health regulations to allow for the export of certified seed potatoes from Great Britain to the EU to continue post-transition. The EU, however, refused this application because the UK's plant health regulations are "not dynamically aligned to EU's [phytosanitary] legislation". Traditionally, there has been a strong demand and requirement in Ireland for high-grade seed potatoes from Great Britain.In recognition of this, my Department has actively engaged with the European Commission and other member states at various EU meetings on exports of seed potatoes from Britain, including at the EU chief officer of plant health meetings and the EU standing committee meetings on plant health, among others. At these meetings my Department has continually outlined to the Commission our view that there should be continued free movement of seed potatoes between Great Britain and Ireland. We have urged the European Commission to engage to find a solution to the resumption of this trade and have suggested that this could be achieved either by discussing equivalence under Article 44 of the plant health regulation or by way of a derogation. Exports of seed potatoes from Britain to Northern Ireland and the EU have also been discussed at the first meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and at the European Parliament environment committee. In all forums the Commission has maintained its position that the UK's plant health regulations must be dynamically aligned to that of the EU for any resumption of trade to take place.

I am keen to highlight to the Senator that the ending of high-grade seed imports from Britain provides a real opportunity for the revival of domestic seed production, a point he dwelled on in his contribution. An all-island plant health status, seed growing tradition and the potential to form producer organisations by potato growers are all positives. There is an increased interest from major seed potato contractors in placing contracts for seed with Irish growers in the wake of Brexit. My Department will offer as much support as possible in developing the seed potato sector. However, further expansion of the seed area must be industry led. This expansion should be assisted in the coming years by the availability of seed of our main variety, Rooster, whose plant breeder's rights expired at the end of 2021.

My Department actively supports the production of mini-tubers through the Tops Potato Centre, in Raphoe, in my county, whose good work Senator Boyhan referred to in strong terms. To ensure that the Tops Potato Centre can cater for future demand, I am looking at how to improve our investment there.

In addition, my Department operates the seed certification scheme for the production of certified seed and will make available all necessary resources to ensure that all seed crops entered for the scheme are certified to the highest of standards.

I assure the Senator that my Department will continue to support the seed potato sector in building capacity to increase domestic seed supply and to maximise our natural advantage in this regard.