Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will liaise with the Department of the Environment and Local Government to put in place a strategy to allow farmers engage in direct sales of vegetables and dairy products, etc., on the basis of 60% minimum own produce and 40% maximum bought in produce. [12172/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A growth opportunity exists in direct sales and the farmers markets concept presents opportunities for producers to sell directly to consumers. There are over 100 such markets operating throughout the country at present. An Bord Bia, the statutory food promotion agency, provides a range of support services for farmers markets including advice and mentoring assistance and has also published a comprehensive information guide on the running and operation of these markets.

It is not clear to me precisely what the Deputy is suggesting in terms of developing a strategy for direct sales in liaison with my colleague Deputy Roche, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Direct on-farm sales would of course have to comply with a wide range of legal and regulatory consent codes as apply in the retail sector.