The output of the Irish mushroom industry was valued at £84 million (€106 million) last year, according to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Mr Noel Davern.

"The Irish industry is the dominant supplier to the UK market," he said at the presentation of Teagasc Mushroom Certificates to participants in a special course in Tipperary town.

However, he cautioned: "Great attention should be paid to the environmental impact of your business. The indiscriminate dumping of compost in plastic bags by a minority of growers has given the industry some bad press in the past and has undoubtedly influenced local authorities when dealing with planning applications. Everyone involved with the industry, whether as growers or with marketing or composting businesses, have a responsibility to ensure that this issue is addressed."