Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the level of uptake there has been in view of the recent introduction of the voluntary code of practice scheme for farmers' markets; the potential contribution farmers' markets will make to improving the potential level of income for primary producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43459/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Twenty six markets have to date been certified as meeting the Good Practice Standard for Farmers' Markets and each has been issued with a personalized banner which they can use to advertise this achievement. A list of the successful markets is also posted on the Bord Bia website. The Good Practice Standard encourages farmers' markets to provide market access to locally produced in-season produce. Producers can deal directly with consumers and people have an opportunity to taste products with a particular local identity as markets displaying the banner will aim to source 50% of their produce in their county or neighbouring counties. Farmers' Markets are in short, a good alternative route to market particularly for small producers. A new round of applications is underway at present and I expect that many more markets will have reached a standard that will enable them to apply in this second round.

Markets which have been awarded the Good Practice Standard are:

Mahon Point Farmers' Market

Midleton Farmers' Market,

Kinsale Farmers Market

Schull Country Market

Balbriggan Fish & Farmers' Market

Ballincollig Farmers' Market

Manorhamilton Farmers' Market (Bee Park Resource Centre)

Sligo Farmers' Market

Moycullen Country Market

Milltown Farmers' Market (Co. Kerry)

Nenagh Farmers' Market

Coppinger Row Market

Carrick-on-Shannon Farmers' Market

Ennis Farmers' Market

Listowel Farmers' Market

Dungarvan Farmers' Market

Kanturk Farmers' Market

Boyle Origin Farmers' Market

Dalkey Coco Market

Marlay Park Coco Market (Co. Dublin)

The Peoples Park Coco Market (Co. Dublin)

Ballyvaughan Farmers' Market

Abbeyfeale Market

Limerick Milk Market

Riverside Market (Limerick)

Naas Farmers market