This article is from page 36 of the 2007-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
FARMERS’ markets all over Clare could soon become subject to new protocols and “a quality assurance scheme to ensure that food and crafts are genuinely produced locally” ac- cording to the Minister for Commu- nity, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Deputy Eamon O Cuiv made the statement at the opening address of the All-Ireland Farmers’ Markets Seco eom srw ate Onom ERIM (oc).e He added that it is important to continue to identify barriers and address issues facing the industry, while complimenting its role in
healthy living.
“In Ireland, agriculture was tradi- tionally a mainstay of the rural econ- omy and food production was at its core,” he said.
“The professional pessimists see only doom and gloom in the fact that farming and rural economies have changed, but I know that we in this room recognise the new opportuni- ties to do things differently with the same quality materials.”
Cuiv complimented the high stand- ards of the farmers’ markets nation- BLO (on
“All of these food products are cre- ated with taste and craft, to provide
a memorable Irish experience. Con- Sumers enjoy the feel-good factor of buying direct from the producers at the market and they return again and again to continue experiencing the super quality and often-cheaper prices of the produce on offer.”
One issue raised at the conference by celebrity chef Darina Allen was the huge success of markets run by local committees in spite of in- consistent treatment of them by au- thorities. For example, signage for a market in Carrick-on-Shannon was funded while in Ennis, organisers were fined for putting up signs.
Suggestions included making ad-
ministration changes to the Casual Traders’ Act while new Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent, vowed to re- move obstacles to the markets.
Ms Allen also said that markets needed a controller and a code of practice so producers are central and food is not brought in from distant areas or sold on under false pretens- oe
According to An Bord Bia, there are five farmers’ markets in Clare at Ennis, Ballyvaughan, Killaloe, Kilrush and Shannon. Minister O SLUT AAT U(CREdarcLemmabbeTeUbeTcam Ke) mm icbu neous markets is available under the CLAR programme in his department.