Dan Boyle
Question:76 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the role his Department is playing in co-operation with other agencies to develop farmers' markets. [14055/03]
Written Answers. - Food Industry.
As part of its statutory role in promoting the development of Ireland's food and drink industry, Bord Bia is actively working with small food producers to develop this pioneering route to market. Consumer trends clearly indicate the growing importance of farmers markets and Bord Bia's strategy is to maximise the potential financial return for small food producers in selling direct to consumers. Further scope for development of farmer markets has been identified in the specialty-artisan food sector. The current market for speciality-artisan food in Europe is worth €33 billion with an estimated 9% being sold through a network of farmer markets. These markets will have an important role to play in increasing sales of Irish speciality-artisan food sales currently estimated at €450 million. In 2002, Bord Bia staged Ireland's largest ever outdoor food market based on the farmers' market style at the international food symposium in Kinsale. In excess of 110 small food producers marketed and sold their produce to over 200 national and international buyers and to the general public. Bord Bia also provides general advice and information to people who have an active interest in setting up farmers markets in urban and rural areas.
The report of the organic development committee, which I established on foot of a recommendation of the AgriFood 2010 Committee, recognised the importance of farmer co-operatives and producer groups in developing the organic sector. The committee recommended the establishment of an organic market development group. My Department is participating in the work of this group, which is chaired by Bord Bia and has overall responsibility for developing a national marketing strategy for organic food. I expect that the group will further explore the potential of farmers markets as an outlet for organic produce.
My Department has also provided financial assistance to the Irish Countrywomen's Association for work performed by Country Markets Limited in developing co-operative markets for the sale of farm, garden and home produce in rural areas. This assistance has been provided directly to Country Markets Limited since 1997.