Go raibh míle maith agat. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Cathaoirleach agus an coiste as ucht an cuireadh teacht anseo. Seo an chéad uair dom a bheith os comhair an choiste agus táim ag súil go mór leis. Tá súil agam freisin go mbeidh seansanna eile agam a bheith anseo. Tá aithne mhaith agam ar na daoine atá anseo ó na díospóireachtaí a bhí againn i dtaobh talmhaíocht agus rudaí eile le tamall anuas. My officials are here with me and I hope we will be able to answer any questions that arise. In any event, I hope my presentation will cover most of the questions. Any remaining queries will then be addressed.
I welcome the opportunity to address the committee on the issue of farmers' markets. One of our commitments under the programme for Government is the encouragement of more direct selling from farmer to customer by restoring and promoting a national network of farmers' markets. The local food concept, although relatively new to Ireland compared with some of our European counterparts, is fast becoming an integral part of the weekly shop. The number of markets describing themselves as farmers' markets is increasing and now more than 130 public, private and community markets operate in Ireland.
Experience of farmers' markets, farm shops and box schemes, suggests they can provide economic, environmental and social benefits, locally and regionally. These benefits include access to in-season quality fresh food; fewer air miles and, therefore, reduced carbon footprints; more money circulating in local economies; increased employment regionally; the preservation of regional specialties; and an enhanced level of choice for consumers.
The development of new and shorter routes to market, such as the phenomenon of farmers' markets, which continue to grow in popularity throughout the country, has greatly encouraged on-farm production of high quality specialist food. The opportunities offered by the decoupled payment system also will encourage many farmers to look at the speciality sector as a way of adding value at the farm gate.
The contribution of local authorities is key to the success of the local food concept, not least in the area of farmers' markets. The local authority farmers' market forum, which I hosted in January, brought together mayors, local authority managers, cathaoirligh of special policy committees and town clerks for a dialogue on direct routes to market for local food, with a particular focus on farmers' markets. I was very pleased that all counties were represented among the 115 delegates. The specific aims of the event were to raise awareness among local authority decision makers as to the benefits a farmers' market could bring to their area and to highlight areas where the local authority can assist. I can let members have documentation on the proceedings if required.
The event featured speakers from France and the UK, who provided an insight into the how and why of markets in their countries. Case studies were carried out of Irish market experiences and planning in Midleton, Cahir, Dublin and Limerick. At the forum, I impressed on local authorities, which have powers under the Casual Trading Act, the need for running water and power points to be available at markets. I want to promote a level of consistency for all local authorities dealing with farmers' markets.
The recent consultation with local authorities followed on from the national conference on local food, which I hosted in Mullingar in November, and where the Bord Bia guide to selling through farmers' markets, farm shops and box schemes in Ireland was launched. Distribution difficulties had been flagged at the earlier regional food forums held by Bord Bia and my Department. The Bord Bia guide presents information and advice in a concise, easy-to-use format, with step-by-step action plans and useful checklists on what is involved.
The conference was the first national conference on local food and it aimed to raise awareness and understanding of local food as defined by the consumer, highlight the benefits to producers, retailers and the consumer and offer practical information and advice on selling locally. More than 250 producers, retailers, consumers and agency personnel attended.
A number of surveys have been conducted on the local impact of farmers' markets. Farmers' markets can have a beneficial impact on local businesses and the community in general. Research from Bord Bia has shown that €10 spent at a farmers' market will result in a net income of €24 for the community. It has been estimated also that trade for other businesses increases by up to 30% when a market is run in a town. I have seen for myself the increased foot fall resulting on market day.
The specialty sector, including artisan and organic products, is growing at 10% per annum, fuelled by consumers seeking variety, well-being, provenance and taste. Consumer protection and consumer confidence are essential elements in the development of farmers' markets and other direct selling routes to market. More recently, the Department has surveyed farmers' markets on their requirements to have up-to-date information to assist with future initiatives.
I recently chaired an expanded artisan industry committee, under the auspices of the Department's AgriVision 2015 action plan, which identifies the delivery of safe, high-quality, nutritious food, produced in a sustainable manner in high value markets as the optimum route for the future of the Irish food industry. The group is representative of the diverse artisan sector and includes the chair of the Irish Food Market Traders Association.
Organic issues are very relevant to farmers' markets as certified organic farmers see farmers' markets as their route to market. The importance of farmers' markets is recognised in the organic marketing development plan, which is funded by my Department. In our programme for Government, we have pledged to increase the land area under organic production to 5% of total agricultural area by 2012. As demand for fresh local and organic produce grows, so do opportunities for local producers. The Irish organic retail market was estimated to be worth €66 million last year, compared with €38 million in 2003. I saw a figure of €400 million projected for 2012, so it is growing considerably. In markets, organic stallholders are generally in a minority at present. We have increased the resources deployed to safeguard the integrity of organic products and provided greater powers for Department officials through SI 698 of 2007 amending SI 112 of 1994, implementing EU organic rules.
I will now summarise future prospects. Accelerating changes in agriculture have significantly changed the rural economy. Farming is now more consumer and market oriented. Producers, large and small, have increasingly to consider the best route to market for their own businesses. For many small producers in particular, farmers' markets are providing the route to market and in doing so are performing a new role in supplementing farm income. In this regard, farmers' markets are the perfect vehicle for satisfying the demands of two separate groups within our communities, consumers who are increasingly looking for freshly produced local food and producers looking for a local market to sell their produce. Farmers' markets are uniquely placed to complement the demands of these two groups.
One of our biggest challenges will be to ensure a level of consistency between the different farmers' markets while allowing individual markets to keep their own identity. To achieve this, all of the major players will need to come together. These include the following: the producers who have a responsibility to display and label products in a clear and unambiguous way, for example claiming that produce is organic means displaying organic certification; the consumer who should be satisfied as to the origin and quality of product before purchase; the local authorities which should provide adequate facilities; and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which will play a key role in developing farmers' markets and providing forums and opportunities for all of the players to come together.
Following the forum I have consulted with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, whose Department has responsibility for the Casual Trading Acts, regarding the possibility of guidelines in this area. Our plan is to have draft guidelines drawn up by a cross-departmental group to ensure a joined-up approach and to proceed then to an open consultation with a range of interests. There is a range of views on the best approach with very different views on whether to have regulation or codes of practice. I believe we should seek consensus on what is practical and achievable and within the scope of local authorities to influence. As I mentioned, we had French and English delegates over here and I was impressed by how they have had farmers' markets established for some time and the local authorities seem to be on board.
I have long been an advocate of farmers' markets. Every good-sized town should have one as part of its food experience. In a direct way markets can also keep us in touch with the seasonality of nature and the taste of fresh local food. A joined-up approach across Departments, agencies and local authority policymakers provides a good prospect for strengthening the growth, viability and prosperity of farmers' markets in Ireland.
