Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 629: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the crop shortage (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10467/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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While potato acreage has declined by 4% in the past five years to 12,600 hectares, production has increased by 11% to 506,000 tonnes. The increased production has led in the past two years to over-supply and a downward pressure on prices. A feature of potato production is the gradual decline in the number of growers. The industry is becoming more concentrated with a small number of large-scale growers producing the main crop varieties.