Minister for Agriculture, Food and and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has received cabinet approval to launch a €3 million scheme of investment aid for the seed potato sector.
The Donegal TD said the scheme will accelerate development of capacity within the sector and aid improvements in the production, storage and marketing infrastructure of seed potatoes by providing grant assistance to producers towards the capital cost of specialised equipment and facilities.
Funding for the scheme is coming through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR).
As a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union and following the end of the Brexit transition period on the 1st of January 2021, the import of seed potatoes from Great Britain to the EU is prohibited.
In announcing the scheme, Minister McConalogue said: “In recognition of the challenges faced by the Irish potato sector in fulfilling its annual demand for access to high grade seed potato following the exit of the UK from the EU, I am delighted to announce approval of the scheme for this highly specialised farming.
Grace Doherty on her dad’s (Charlie) farm on the banks of Lough Swilly in Co Donegal. Charlie is a seed and ware potato grower as well as growing traditional potatoes. Grace finished school for the day early to meet with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue earlier this week on the family farm in Co Donegal
“This presents a timely opportunity for the Irish seed potato sector to develop capacity and expand to ensure a reliable supply of domestically produced high grade seed potato material, with the support of the dedicated Seed Certification Service provided by my Department and the Tops Potato Centre in Raphoe.
“The ending of seed imports from Britain provides an opportunity for the revival of the domestic seed potato sector and I think this good be really good news for Donegal in particular.
“Donegal has traditionally been the home of seed potato growing in Ireland and I believe we can restore the industry to its heydey both locally nationally.”
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is finalising preparations to launch the scheme which will be available for the period 2022-2023 and will conclude this work very shortly.
Tags: