Irish tillage farmers are expected to get €3million to encourage them to grow potatoes again. The most famous Irish staple food that we see on our plates nearly every day is usually not Irish at all as the majority of seedling potatoes have come from Scotland in recent years.
However, as Ferghal Blaney reports for the Irish Mirror, one of the unintended consequences of Brexit is that new trade and health rules means the supply of Scottish spud seeds will be stopped. Following Brexit, EU plant health rules prevent the importation of certified seed from Britain.
Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConologue, is taking this opportunity to kickstart the Irish seed potato industry and will seek approval for €3million in funding from Cabinet on Tuesday.
A spokesman for Mr McConalogue said: “The plan is to support the development of native production of such seed, which is a highly specialised farming activity, through a capital investment scheme for specialist facilities and equipment to support the expansion of the sector.”
Source: Irish Mirror. Read the full story here
Photo: Credit and courtesy Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland via The Daily Edge
