The Crops Irish Potato regulations were established to create a supportive policy and regulatory framework aimed at addressing the key challenges within the potato subsector. When fully implemented, they will enhance industry standards and operations. The regulations mandate the registration of growers and all value chain participants to aid data collection and ensure compliance, Irish potatoes must be packaged in clean, food-grade materials, with each unit weighing no more than 50kg. Furthermore, all potatoes for trade must meet national, regional, and international standards for sorting, grading, packaging, labeling, transportation, and storage. The regulations also call for the appointment of inspectors to oversee and enforce these requirements.
Since the gazettement in 2019, the regulation implementation and enforcement has not been so strong due to disjointed efforts thus inhibiting realization of the industry maximum potential. One of the best implementation mechanism is through ensuring a well-coordinated effort between the potato producing and marketing counties.
Multi-stakeholder engagement meetings were conducted on 22nd October and 10th December 2024 bringing on board CECM and County Directors Trade and Marketing from both marketing and producing counties respectively. During which it was agreeable to establish a marketing committee to support implementation alongside the development of a comprehensive implementation plan for adoption by the counties and stakeholders in the efforts to fast-track joint implementation. Awareness creation among stakeholders would also be done procedurally.
While implementation efforts in the past have faced challenges, it was imperative to establish a joint and clear actionable roadmap to enhance the effectiveness of implementation. Potatoes are a key crop with immense potential, and by aligning efforts with the potato regulations, there will be robust support for the industry. A well-defined roadmap aims to guide the industry toward achieving its maximum potential, benefiting all stakeholders across the value chain and ensuring harmonized and efficient implementation.
A section of CECMs during the first stakeholder engagements meeting at merica Hotel, Nakuru
A section of county directors during the development of joint implementation plan
