Sargent to look at ways to develop farmers' markets

Minister of State for Agriculture Trevor Sargent is to meet city and county managers to discuss the organisation of farmers' markets throughout the State.

He said as well as the meeting in January, he would look at other areas such as indirect payments and Rural Environmental Protection Scheme financing.

"Indirectly, hopefully, we can show that that we have the financial as well as the political commitment to developing farmers' markets," Mr Sargent said.

He added that there were 130 markets in Ireland, with an estimated annual turnover of €28 million. Bord Bia had supported them, and would continue to support them, through relevant advice and information.

The main vehicle for marketing farmers' markets in Ireland this year was Bord Bia's sponsorship of Fresh from the Farmer's Market, an eight-part series shown on RTÉ 1 between April and June. The programme featured markets and producers throughout the State, and got strong viewer ratings.

Mr Sargent said it had been sold to other television networks overseas, including in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and has been screened on inbound flights from the US.

Labour spokesman Seán Sherlock said that many farmers' markets were striving to boost their popularity locally, with much of the work done through voluntary effort. While programmes were in place through Leader to help them, they required some sort of direct support to advertise in the local media.

Mr Sargent said he would love to put his hand in his pocket and give money directly, but State aid rules must be taken into account.

"That said, I am conscious of the need to co-operate with, for example, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has overall responsibility for local government.

"I am promoting the remit of local government in respect of food.

"With this in mind, I am working with officials in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government so that we can jointly financially sponsor measures to, for example, ensure that running water and electricity are provided, and that sufficiently central locations with parking and other necessary nuts and bolts are in place to give the market every necessary advantage to be successful."