Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the efforts being made to promote consumption of the potato which has dropped significantly among younger consumers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13080/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Bord Bia conducted consumer research recently on potato consumption trends and highlights the carbohydrate competition that exists in the market. Increasingly, consumers are looking for convenience, consistent eating quality, ease of preparation and quality assurance in terms of their purchasing choices. The potato industry has to consider these issues and must aim to provide what the consumer requires. With this demand for increased convenience and ease of preparation in mind there does appear to be a move to value added products such as semi prepared and par cooked products.

Bord Bia also has seasonal promotions of potatoes throughout the year, highlighting the availability of locally produced Irish potatoes along with recipes and, of course, the nutritional benefits of potatoes such as the fact that they are a good source of potassium, important for a healthy blood pressure and contribute a significant amount of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant and important for immune health.

The United Nations has declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato. The Year aims at raising the profile of this globally important food crop, giving emphasis to its nutritional attributes, and thus promoting its production, consumption, marketing and trade. My Department has been actively involved in setting up a committee comprising representatives of the Industry and State Agencies who have been busy putting in place an interesting programme of activities to mark the year.

One of the major events being organised is a national competition aimed at all primary schools called Meet the spuds (more info at www.internationalyearofthepotato.ie). Through the active support of many organisations and the organisational skills of Agri-aware, potato growing packs were made available to the 3,500 primary schools in the country. I am very pleased to note that over 50% of schools have registered for the competition. Whilst the competition is presented in a fun and pupil friendly manner it has a very serious and important message, which is to encourage the production and consumption of locally produced potatoes and to promote the potato as a valuable food source. It can be seen as part of the ongoing revival of local agriculture and farmers' markets, a renaissance in regional cooking and food traditions and as part of a grassroots campaign to get junk food out of our kitchens, and to revert to good wholesome Irish food.