HL Deb 29 April 2002 vol 634 cc75-6WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in acknowledging the importance of farmers working together and forming co-operative groups as recommended in the Curry report on the future of farming and food, they will place restrictions on the size of such groups. [HL3903]

Lord Whitty

In its report of January 2002 the Policy Commission on the Future of Food and Farming expressed a strong belief in the need for a much greater level of collaboration between farmers and in the potential of collaborative ventures for all farmers large and small. The Government support those sentiments. The commission did not advocate the placing of restrictions on the size of farmers co-operatives and the Government have no plans to do so. However, cooperatives are subject to the requirements of UK and EU competition law.