John Carty (Fianna Fail)

I grow a number of vegetables and there is a significant difference between them and what one buys in the shops. We are fortunate in that we have very good potatoes in this country. There is no comparison between them and the small imported potatoes with which we are sometimes presented in restaurants. They cannot compete with the nice floury spud we are used to here and that we appreciate.

I was pleased the Minister of State alluded in his contribution to the small abattoirs, which are of vital importance. Great emphasis has rightly been placed on hygiene but I find it objectionable, especially in the case of small abattoirs operated by family butchers, that the bar has been raised so high it is stopping them killing their cattle and lambs which are sourced locally. Some butchers in my area — Claremorris, Kiltimagh and Ballyhaunis — kill their own animals. They display the herd number and the name of the farmer from which the beef or lamb was purchased in their shops. That is a wonderful service because the customer knows exactly from where the animal comes.

There might be less talk about imports of Brazilian beef if those small abattoirs were allowed to operate the way they operated in the past. They killed their own animals and the quality was of the highest standard. The best judge of that was the housewife because if she did not get what she wanted she would move to another butcher, which happened in the past. With all the talk of hygiene and all the regulations in place, we still have little resistance — perhaps our immune systems are weak — to the many illnesses we currently face. That was not the case when we were somewhat more liberal in our attitude to food. Food was always cooked very well at that time, which was an important factor.

Under the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013, operated by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, support for the development of farmers' markets is included under the village renewal and development measure. The aim of this measure is to provide appropriate small-scale infrastructure to enhance the economic and social attractiveness of villages, small towns and the surrounding countryside.

The development of farmers' markets has received support across the country from local action groups delivering the 2000-06 Leader programmes and is provided under the new programme. The selection process for the local action groups to deliver the Leader type measures under the new programme will commence shortly. I understand funding to networks of producers to market, promote and advertise themselves and their markets at local level is currently provided under the Leader programme.

There are now approximately 130 markets throughout the country, a number that has grown from a small base in recent years. Bord Bia estimates that the farmers' market system has an annual turnover of €28 million and it is clear there is potential for the system to grow its share of the Irish food market in future years. Bord Bia is to be complimented for the work it has done in promoting the markets and Irish grown food. It has been involved with television programmes, including "Fresh from the Farmers' Market" which was excellent. I am pleased there will be a repeat of the series.

If I may be parochial in the time remaining, we have a market in Claremorris, my nearest town at home, which has operated for the past number of years, and another is starting in Kiltimagh under the IRD Leader programme. The Claremorris market has been very successful and I have no doubt the Kiltimagh market will be successful also because up to 30 years ago there was a great tradition of a market day each month where farmers sold their produce, including hay, straw and oats. That day is gone but it would be nice to see them return with home-grown farm produce.

I wish the Minister of State well. I am aware this concept is dear to his heart and I am sure he will give it every assistance in the coming years.