asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on reports to the effect that the operation of EEC grading regulations has unduly raised the cost of vegetables to the consumer.

Presumably the Deputy's question relates to an article which was published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics and discussed at a recent seminar organised by the Irish Housewives' Association. The conclusions drawn in the article are an assumption as to what would happen in the market if the EEC were to withdraw recognition of the lowest of four approved grades into which certain fruit and vegetables must be classified. There are no reports that I know about the existing grading system having the effect of unduly raising the cost of vegetables to the consumer.