Is the Minister aware of the concern of small growers about a takeover of the vegetable industry by monopoly interests? In my area at least four or five growers who have been doing fairly well are afraid of a monopoly takeover by FII. Is the Minister aware of such a development and how does he propose to counter it? They would be importers of vegetables.

I am glad the Deputy asked that question. We have set out a strategy to get as many growers as possible into producer groups and I would ask the Deputy to use his influence to encourage growers to involve themselves in such producer groups. We have no ideological hang up about it. If growers are prepared to come to a satisfactory working arrangement with wholesalers in their area, we are quite prepared to help and encourage them.