§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the purchase of seed companies by transnational chemical companies. [6003]
§ Mr. RookerSeed production and marketing is increasingly and international business. It is essential that companies have a sufficiently large base to service these needs. I shall continue to monitor the activities of around 1,100 seed merchants, processors and packers who are registered with the Ministry in England and Wales.