The Irish Country Markets updated guide to good hygiene practice was launched today by Minister of State Tom Hayes.

Commenting on the impact of these markets, Hayes said that as well as "providing a very immediate interaction between producers and customers", they "are the ideal location for sampling local and innovative speciality foods”.

Hayes highlighted the need to maintain a high standard of food safety, commenting: “food safety requires in the first place best practice from all in the food chain and appropriate responsibility being accepted by each operator along that chain. In addition, there must be objective, independent, and transparent systems for ensuring maintenance of high standards and prompt and pro-active measures taken where risks emerge”.