Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 674: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of significant in fees and charges to the seed potato certification scheme 2005, she considered a possible review and reconsideration of these new charges. [1983/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The proposed fees under the seed potato certification scheme form part of the recommendations of the recent expenditure review of programmes in the potato sector. These fees relate to field charges only and will be phased in over five years. They will also be subject to an annual review.

The expenditure review initiative forms an important element of the Government's effort to secure value for money from public expenditure. The intention of such reviews is to provide a basis for decisions on resource allocation as was the case in this instance.

I have already revised the PCN testing element of the fees but do not propose any further changes for this year. I am confident that the fees are both reasonable and necessary and will bring commercial focus to the area of seed production which will ultimately be for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 675: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the preventative means which the Government has introduced to prevent ring rot and brown rot from imported seed potatoes. [1984/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has both statutory measures and contingency plans in place to counter threats from ring rot and brown rot. These measures are integrated with EU measures to prevent the introduction and spread of these diseases. Seed is regarded as the most likely source of introduction of the diseases and therefore is the focus of attention. No seed potatoes are allowed into Ireland from outside the EU. In the case of seed emanating from within the EU, only basic seed or seed from high grade seed areas may be marketed in Ireland. All seed imports are closely monitored by my Department. An inspection, sampling and testing regime based on risk analysis is carried out and to date all samples have proved negative for both ring rot and brown rot. Last year 600 samples were taken under the survey targeted at risk material and involving seed and ware producers, processing plants and imports from the EU and third countries. In addition, water samples were taken for brown rot detection and again all results were negative.

Growers and traders are regularly advised as to what precautions should be taken to reduce the risks of an outbreak and spread of ring rot or brown rot. Such measures include good rotation and hygiene and the purchase of seed from reliable sources. All movements of potatoes must be accompanied by the relevant registration number to facilitate traceability in the event of a disease outbreak.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 676: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of seed potato growers in operation in 2004; and the total acreage farmed. [1985/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2004 the total number of applicants under the seed potato certification scheme was 231 and the total area classified under the scheme was 1,357 hectares. In addition, 210 growers produced 1,203 hectares of home saved seed. Some growers produced seed potatoes under both categories.