Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

Since 2002, mushroom growers have drawn down €22 million under the auspices of their producer organisation whereas fruit and vegetable growers have only drawn down €2 million. I accept there is a need for individual producers to have stronger muscle so that they obtain the return on their produce to which the are entitled and which they need to ensure the fruit and vegetable industry remains strong and viable.

Farmers' markets are important and I have had many exchanges with the Deputy about them. I visited England last September with IFA representatives and farmers from north Dublin. We visited farm shops, in particular, and I would like that concept rolled out in Ireland. We met individuals who have plans to roll-out farm shops in north Dublin and Meath and we passed their planning concerns to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in mid 2006.

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