IFA to Hold National Potato Meeting

IFA National Potato Chair Sean Ryan has announced that IFA will hold a national meeting for potato growers on Wednesday, 13th March at 8pm in the CityNorth Hotel, Gormanston, Co.Meath.

The meeting will address the major challenges in the sector with guest speakers from Teagasc, Bord Bia and DAFM on the night.

Sean Ryan said the past number of years have been difficult for growers. The past harvest season was one of the most difficult in recent memory and some growers have significant acreage of potatoes unharvested.

Growers are constantly battling market challenges, seed availability, input costs and longstanding issues such as land availability.

These issues must be addressed, or the reduction in the number of growers will inevitably continue.

The latest report from Teagasc outlines how input costs have not abated for the sector. These costs do not include land rental which has soared due to competition with the dairy sector.

“Growers are now at a crossroads on making decisions to continue growing.  The sector requires joined-up thinking from all Government departments to address these issues, or this downward trend will continue,” he said.

All growers are encouraged to attend this importance meeting of all potato growers.