Press Release
Issued 1st April 2008

Farmer’s Markets – A Reality Check…
Consumer Choice asks are Irish consumers are being mislead by operators of Farmers’ Markets or do we need to rethink what a farmers’ market really means today?

The April issue of Consumer Choice magazine - the only independently written, researched and published consumer affairs magazine in Ireland - is now available from the Consumer Association of Ireland. Packed full of information and expert opinions especially for over 8,000 Irish consumers, this month’s edition reports on the reality of Irish Farmers’ Markets; asks what are ESB’s standing charges and can you really save money with the Nightsaver tariff; looks at RTE’s decision to shut down its Medium Wave service and puts 23 washing machines through the Consumer Choice product test.

Consumer Choice researcher Aisling Murtagh reports on Irish Farmer’s Markets which are enjoying a surge in consumer popularity of late. Irish consumers who choose to shop at farmers’ markets, and are prepared to pay a higher price, often have reasons for doing so, such as having a preference for local or organic food. Consumers are buying goods at these markets in the belief that the goods are sourced and produced locally and are paying more for this privilege. But Consumer Choice asks if charging consumers a higher price for produce sold at farmer’s market’s is justified. “If consumers are prepared to pay a higher price for such standards, then a commitment to uphold and guarantee standards should be made by the farmers’ market,” says Aisling Murtagh. Consumer Choice calls for stricter regulation in the area as this would allow each farmers’ market to retain its independence and difference, but also guarantee minimum standards for the consumer.

Consumer Choice also delves into electricity costs in Ireland. The magazine questions the real value of the Nightsaver tariff, and reports on the current situation regarding standing charges on your ESB bill. According to Consumer Choice, the Consumer Association of Ireland “welcomes the recent decision of the ESB to reduce average electricity prices by 5.4%” but says that any goodwill generated by this move “has been squandered by the fact that they have increased the standing charge by 5%”. Since the beginning of 2007 there has been an increase of almost 7% per kWh which, according to Consumer Choice “given the increases in the cost of fuel, is acceptable. What is not acceptable, however, is the increase in the same period of some 34% in the standing charge.”

Also in this month’s edition, Consumer Choice discusses the closure of RTE’s MW service and agrees with critics of RTE’s unilateral decision that the public service broadcaster did not engage in consultation with its various stakeholders or allow MW listeners enough time to make the transition to other platforms. According to Consumer Choice magazine, the Consumer Association of Ireland and others have been extensively involved in a consultation process regarding the introduction of digital terrestrial television and radio yet this was not the case with this decision. “The MW service was still appreciated by many, particularly by senior citizens who valued it above FM for its reception reliability and ease of use”.

New to this month to Consumer Choice is the first Irish independent product testing feature. Washing Machines are put to 16 separate tests – including price, energy consumption, noise, cycle performance.  The current trend of switching to 30 degrees is put through its paces. Choice’s Jenny Harrow asks “Are you actually saving energy, water and more importantly money?” Harrows results from 20 machines tested showed that an average saving of 77c per wash is achieved when switching from 40 to 30 degrees.  Also this month Consumer Choice put digital cameras and pushchairs to the test.