§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what help her Department gives to the setting-up of farmers' markets in England. [156110]
§ Alun MichaelDefra makes provision under the England Rural Development Programme for grants for projects promoting farmers' markets. Within the last year we awarded £100,256 to the National Association of Farmers' Markets (NAFM—now known as the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association) to raise the profile of farmers' markets across England and to increase public awareness of them. NAFM also received funding from Defra under the Agriculture Development Scheme for the publication of information booklets and to help producers develop1392W their knowledge of sales and marketing; and to help NAFM develop its certification programme for accrediting farmers' markets. The Countryside Agency, which we grant aid, also provided start-up funding to NAFM. In addition, in November 2002, my noble Friend, the Lord Whitty wrote to all Local Authorities outlining the benefits farmers' markets bring and the role they play in bringing urban and rural communities together. They offer an excellent outlet for farmers to sell their produce direct to consumers and the Department is keen to encourage their development.