Written answers

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Potato Industry

9:00 pm

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide support for potato growers who are currently experiencing low prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14650/12]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Whilst the area of potatoes planted has declined over the last 10 years, high yields in the past two seasons have seen production levels of over 400,000 tonnes, which has led to excess supplies and downward pressure on prices. This is coupled with the fact that per capita consumption has being declining on an annual basis.

A key objective for this sector is to increase consumption of potatoes and in this regard a number of new initiatives are taking place to raise awareness and in turn increase consumption of potatoes.

A Potato Promotions Group under the auspices of Bord Bia was established in February 2012 which aims at stabilising potato consumption in the short term and rebuilding consumption in the medium to longer term. The group includes representatives of Bord Bia, the Irish Potato Federation, the Irish Farmers Association and my Department. New research carried out by Bord Bia has identified clearly the reasons for the drop in potato consumption in recent years. In light of this, the Potato Promotions Group will develop a promotional strategy around the outcome of this research which will attempt to address consumers' concerns on the regular consumption of potatoes.

Furthermore, a new website for consumers, an initiative of the Irish Potato Federation and supported by Bord Bia, called Potato.ie was launched to promote potatoes. Current promotional activity is focused on driving consumers to the website.

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