Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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50. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made on the Programme for Government commitment to support the small food producer, providing support for on-farm diversification enterprises and investment in local processing facilities, allowing farmers to sell their products into the local and wider domestic markets. [38550/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Both the Programme for Government and Food Vision 2030 acknowledge and underline the importance of our food producers, particularly our farmers and fishers and the importance of maintaining vibrant rural and coastal communities.

Support is available to small food producers and businesses in a variety of ways.

For initiatives such as the development of farm shops, niche products and ecotourism, and for market development, competitiveness and innovation, support is currently available through the LEADER Food Initiative funded by my Department and operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

LEADER is also a key element of the CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, and the LEADER programme will continue to play a vital role in supporting small food producers.

Food and farmers' markets have experienced considerable growth in recent years. To support new and existing members of the food market network, Bord Bia has developed farmers market skills training workshops. The workshops provide practical solutions to the challenges most frequently faced by market sellers. A guide to selling through farmers markets, farm shops and box schemes in Ireland is also available.

My Department is engaging with other relevant Departments to explore further options to encourage and support local authorities to expand the number of farmers’ markets, farm shops and food emporiums, and to support the formation of community-owned markets in all towns, showcasing local food produce from local farmers, growers and food producers.

I have also requested Bord Bia to examine how other countries have been successful in developing premium markets for family farm produce, to learn from international best practice and to understand how both private and public supports, formal and informal, could support this ambition.

I am satisfied that the current measures in place will provide a sound basis for the future development of our agri-food sector including for local and innovative food production initiatives.