Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach leis an gceist seo a phlé. Sílim nach gcloisfimid Seanadóir ar bith ag rá nach bhfuil buntáistí ag baint leis na margaí feirme. Tá sé iontach soiléir go bhfuil buntáistí ag baint leo. Tá an tuairim céanna ag gach éinne. Tá fadhbanna uafásacha ag na margaí áitiúla, áfach. Tá daoine ar nós feirmeoirí ag iarraidh na margaí seo a bhunú. Tá cuid de na fadhbanna sin luaite ag Seanadóirí cheana féin agus ba mhaith liom iad a phlé.

In a debate on the merits of farmers' markets one is unlikely to hear anyone across the political divide disagree that the markets have substantial merits. The arguments in this regard have been made by other Senators. The key issue is that small farmers in this country are under serious financial pressure. Many of their farms are not viable. The markets facilitate direct contact between them and the buyer, cutting out the middle man. I had a conversation recently with a farmer from north Dublin. He was told by a large supermarket chain that he would have to grow, pick and deliver his heads of lettuce for 40 cent per head. If he could not do that, the supermarket chain said it would import the produce from abroad. The heads of lettuce were being sold in the supermarket for €1.60. If there was a national chain of farmers' markets, as Senator de Búrca mentioned, that farmer, who is obviously struggling to provide quality produce at that price, would be able to ensure his livelihood and the viability of his farm.

I am glad there are farmers' markets operating in the north west. Indeed, the most recent one to start operating in Donegal town is a cross-Border initiative between the Strabane farmers' market and farmers in the Donegal town electoral area. They started this excellent initiative by setting up the farmers' market in The Diamond and it has gone from strength to strength. They told me about the difficulties they encountered when they were preparing to embark on this process more than a year ago. There were difficulties with the local authorities, with getting funding and with different officials about the site and the arrangements that had to be put in place for car parking and so forth.

We need a properly planned, systematic approach to facilitating farmers' markets throughout the island. It must become easier for people to embark on this process. I have spoken to the people who sell their produce at the market and many of them would never have dreamed a number of years ago that they would be able to grow their own produce and sell it to their neighbours and the tourists who come to the town. It was owing to the persistence of a number of individuals who saw the benefits of farmers' markets for the local economy and for the consumer in terms of the availability of fresh produce and its nutritional content.

The markets are also a benefit to the environment. If there was a national network of farmers' markets, the produce grown on local farms would only have to be transported a short distance to reach the consumer. Otherwise, the produce is transported large distances which has a negative impact in terms of carbon emissions.

Given the Minister of State's experience in this area, I have no doubt he will take this issue seriously. I urge him to provide more incentives and more education on the benefits of farmers' markets. I hope this debate is a starting point in that regard. He should also try to make it simpler for those who wish to embark on the process of starting a farmers' market. Funding must be provided. There is a certain amount of funding from various schemes but there should be additional funding. I have visited a number of farmers' markets and the participants are still raising funds to provide basic facilities such as overhead canopies and the like. Farmers who are growing produce should not have to concentrate on that or the other difficulties for farmers' markets but on the quality of their produce.

Another issue is the fact that there are different regulations in the North and South. Perhaps the Minister would try to harmonise them on both sides of the Border. I am sure he will get the full co-operation of the agriculture Minister in the North in that regard.