The Crops (Irish Potato) Regulations 2019 were established to create a supportive policy and regulatory framework aimed at addressing the key challenges within the potato subsector.
Components of the regulation; (1) Registration of growers, associations, dealers & collection centers, (2) Registration of processors, warehouses, importers, and exporters, (3) Quality assurance and marketing of Irish potato, (4). Transportation of potato, import and export requirements
What it will address (1) Establishment and enforcement of standards before and during marketing, (2) Extended and non-standardized bags which previously led to exploitation and health risk to farmers and handlers, (3) Poor quality tubers which doesn’t meet the processing standards due to handling challenges, lack of standards and traceability, (4) Promotion of best practices in the Irish potato subsector, (5) Poor marketing infrastructure and uncoordinated marketing, (6) Lack of supportive county by laws in marketing
Benefits to the potato industry; (1) It ensures a well-structured and organized marketing system (2) Farmers will be able to plan, organize, and register themselves to amplify their voices during marketing, (3) It protects against counterfeit products by emphasizing the need for actor registration, (4) It enhances the quality of potatoes through improved packaging and marketing standards, (5) It opens up external market opportunities through traceability and adherence to standards.
