Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Pippa Hackett, is to meet with the Horticulture Industry Forum and the potato industry this week to discuss what she regards as significant prospects for growth within both sectors.

She spoke at the recent Teagasc Seed Potato webinar, pointing out that, in conjunction with Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, she had managed to receive a significantly increased budget for horticulture last October.

The junior minister commented: “I am extremely interested in looking at the possibility for our own, native seed potato production.

“No one can deny that challenges also lie ahead, but this is a resilient industry, one that can exploit the opportunities that can be availed of during the period ahead," she added.

The minister continued: “There has been lots of media coverage given to the significant quantities of potatoes imported into Ireland. But we now have an opportunity to develop import substitution strategies.”

According to Hackett, Irish-grown seed for Irish-grown potatoes would be a very strong theme to support.

“Recent Bord Bia research into the fresh produce market has confirmed that the Irish grocery market continues to grow," Minister Hackett added.

Minister Hackett confirmed her support for National Potato Day last October.

“There have also been a number of very successful potato campaigns from Bord Bia. These have shown that people are prepared to increase their purchasing levels, where potatoes are concerned," she said.

“And if these potatoes are Irish potatoes - all the better.”

Minister Hackett stressed the need for the potato sector to work together in order to grasp the opportunities for growth that now exist.

“It is important that all involved must work to ensure that Ireland can produce a sustained source of seed potatoes.

“This activity will take in Ireland’s retail, catering and processing sectors.”

Commenting on the absolute priority for Ireland to maintain the highest possible plant health standards, Minister Hackett said that potato growers must be very aware of this fact when they select the seed tubers that they plant out.

“A range of different viruses affect seed potatoes. Climate change will also have an impact on plant health policies as we move forward.

“But the fundamental challenge remains that of delivering certainty when it comes to the Irish potato industry securing its future seed requirements," she concluded.