Written question asked by Anthony Steen (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 November 2002. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of (a) benefits to local farming communities of farmers markets and (b) the impact that farmers markets have on retailers.

Answer: Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) benefits to local farming communities of farmers markets and (b) the impact that farmers markets have on retailers. [82789] Mr. Morley: The most recent assessment of farmers' markets in England and Wales was a business survey carried out by the NFU in July 2002. This reported that the 450 regular farmers' markets currently operating have an annual turnover of approximately £166.3 million with the average earnings of each stallholder being around £8,700. With average farm incomes for 2001 of £7,861, the economic benefits for local farmers participating in farmers' markets are clear. The business survey did not specifically consider the impact of farmers' markets on retailers but it did report that 80 per cent. of locations had seen increases in trade for neighbouring businesses. This supports the findings of an earlier study carried out on behalf of the Countryside Agency in 2001 on farmers' markets in the South East. This reported that in the opinion of those market organisers and town centre managers that responded most considered that local shops had benefited.

Secondary information