Many market stallholders may be swamped by the cost of meeting new food safety regulations according to Northland MP Winston Peters.
"If vendors have to pay hundreds of dollars for compliance many will pack up, as they are just trying to provide some local character to the market, something encouraged in provincial towns overseas," he said.
"Markets around the country could shrink."
Serious concerns were arising amongst some stallholders in Northland, who were facing a bill of up to $2000 for "authorisation".
The fee was the same for full-time producers and food retailers as it was for individuals selling at a market for four hours a week. And it would be the same story in towns all over the country.