Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the supports she has for the continued development of Country Markets Limited, which has been in operation for 60 years and which has 58 markets throughout the country and makes a major impact in rural Ireland; if she accepts that it has first class produce and the highest standards of hygiene and quality control with a traceability system which is completely transparent; if she further agrees that the development of country markets should not be stifled by EU regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14120/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department pays an annual grant to the Irish Countrywomen's Association, ICA, and at the request of the ICA, it also pays a grant to Country Markets towards the cost of a full-time organiser to help members in rural areas develop co-operative markets for the sale of garden, farm and home produce. The grant assistance for 2005 for Country Markets was €4,200 and €10,200 for the ICA. Those grants were paid in May 2005.

For 2006, the grant paid will be €4,500 for Country Markets and €10,500 for the ICA and my Department has written to the association outlining other possible sources of public funding including the Leader programme, which funds local development projects and the support programme for community development groups operated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Guidelines concerning food hygiene are set out by Country Markets Ltd., and suppliers are subject to periodic inspections from Country Market officials. Country Markets Ltd., the National Standards Authority of Ireland and regulatory authorities have worked very closely to produce a guide to good hygiene practice, IS 344: 2002. This guide is primarily for use by domestic producers who prepare or produce food for sale in country markets.

The EU regulations to which the Deputy refers, are the new food safety measures, known as the hygiene package, which came into force on 1 January 2006. The main purpose of these regulations is to clearly define the responsibilities of all operators in the food chain to ensure maximum food safety for consumers. The new regulations are not intended to stifle trade but the importance of food safety cannot be compromised. If any operator has difficulty with the detail of any regulation or the measures being used for its implementation, this can be discussed as appropriate with my Department or with the other agencies involved in food safety controls such as the Food Safety Authority or the Health Service Executive.

The numbers of food markets in Ireland is increasing. Since February 2005, the number of markets has increased by 25% which suggests that the development of these markets is not being unduly affected by EU regulations.

In addition to country markets, several farmers' markets operate in Ireland. The most recent listing provided by Bord Bia shows that there are 100 such markets on the island of Ireland. Farmers' markets differ slightly from country markets in that they are usually outdoors and sell different product range from the offering at country markets. Farmers' markets generally feature a country market stand which is staffed by representatives from the Country Markets organisation.

Bord Bia has a dedicated person in its small business department to advise and assist producers and start-up companies who wish to utilise such markets from a sales, marketing, product development and consumer perspective.