Tomato growers' gas bills up 40%
He asked Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan what action she plans to take to alleviate the effects of gas prices on tomato producers.
The minister said she was aware that the increase in the price of natural gas is placing significant pressure on tomato growers.
Almost 30% of the total cost of growing a heated glasshouse crop is comprised of energy costs. Any increase in the price of gas must have an impact on production costs in the protected crops sector.
Arising out of this concern, Minister of State Noel Treacy met with the Commissioner for Energy Regulation last year and impressed on him the serious problems faced by the sector arising from the significant increases in the price of natural gas.
Representations were also made to the commissioner by her department in conjunction with Bord Bia prior to the review of the tariff structure during last year.
She said her officials will take up the matter again with the Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Ms Coughlan said her department supports the protected crop sector on an ongoing basis through the grant aid scheme for capital investment under the national development plan.
Since 2001 an amount of €2.6 million has been paid to the sector to upgrade facilities. Some of this aid was directed at equipment such as heating systems and energy reduction installations.
Aid of €3.6m will also be provided this year for commercial horticulture.
