Mr. John Keane:

I thank the Chair for his kind words at the beginning of the meeting and to all of those who have also spoken. To pick up on the issue touched on by the Senator regarding horticulture and adding value, how the food regulator plays a role in terms of returning value to the farmer in the food chain is key. If we look at the issues and challenges our young farmers have brought to us, in particular with regard to what the Senator has raised regarding the horticulture industry, access to the market and the small nature of the retailers in the breakdown of the market have been highlighted as issues many times. It is something on which the food regulator must play a role. As Mr. Duffy has said, it must be farmer driven and farmer oriented.

With regard to other industries that play a role, I would not necessarily agree with the Senator that bigger dairy or beef enterprises do not necessarily have a role to play in employment or value.