Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I again welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Sargent, to the House. The debate this morning is timely and I congratulate the Minister of State on his initiative last week when he launched the regulations. While it is important to have regulations, it also is important to take cognisance of the fact that Ireland must travel a long way. In his opening remarks, the Minister of State highlighted the issue regarding the impending crisis faced by the world regarding the food we consume. It is important that everyone buys into the concept of being traceable and accountable in respect of the food we consume and I commend the Minister of State in this regard.

I also congratulate the Minister of State on setting up the meeting with the local authorities in the new year. In her closing remarks, Senator de Búrca alluded to the importance of ensuring that casual traders or hawkers do not invade and take over farmers' markets, which should be confined to being markets for farmers. I appeal to the Minister of State to ensure this will be the case. Were hawkers and traders to come in and take over, it would be wrong and would undo all the good that has been done thus far. It is important that we have farmers' markets.

Senator O'Toole referred to local delicacies, an area in which I know the Minister of State is interested. The English Market in Cork is not strictly a farmers' market but it is an outlet for locally produced meats, poultry, dairy products and fish. The Faneuil Hall model in Boston has a food fair. Perhaps the Department can examine the possibility of having the same type of market in Dublin or in other regional towns because it is important that we sell the message that home-grown, organic Irish food is second to none. It is important that we do this.

When I was growing up, my late grandmother used to supply eggs to local shops. Traceability was not an issue and the eggs were good. The hens were cared for almost better than ourselves. The whole community knew from where their food was coming. It is important that we return to that situation. Senator Bradford referred to the green food label, to which the Minister of State is well disposed. I appeal to him to progress this issue.

Since Darina Allen started farmers' markets, they have been a great success. My nieces go to one with their parents and last Saturday a constituent of mine went to one to buy red cabbage for her Christmas dinner. That is the kind of mentality that is now evident. People are sourcing their food at these outlets which provide direct access for consumers to local, fresh food producers. We have to market this approach and introduce a labelling system. Members of all parties now recognise the importance of this issue.

The Irish Examiner revealed last year that some Irish supermarkets bought onions from New Zealand. Taste in food is important, as we all know. The Minister of State is a gardener but I do not have green fingers. There is an onus on the farming community and producers to produce quality foods. There is no comparison between the fresh food we get in farmers' markets and the produce available in supermarkets. We need to market quality foods. Homemade bread, cheese, organic and free range meat and other products should not be lost to this generation. I urge the Minister of State to target schools through the civics programme or transition year modules because, as Senator O'Sullivan stated, we must inculcate in young people the importance of proper food. The most important thing we can do is pass on this legacy to future generations.