Crisp manufacturer Tayto Snacks moved – along with its suppliers – to take early delivery of its stock of seed potatoes from Britain and the EU ahead of the Brexit deadline. Despite the uncertainty, it sought to reassure consumers that it would take “appropriate steps” to maintain supplies in the years ahead.
Mr McKeown said there is still hope that a deal can be reached between the UK and EU allowing the seed potato trade to resume. But in the absence of a deal, most Irish farmers are going to have to source seed potatoes from the Continent while waiting for the indigenous industry to ramp up. Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue is understood to be exploring how to re-establish and develop a national seed programme.