Issued Thursday 25 September 2003

The Commerce Commission has cleared South Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd to acquire the assets and business of the New Zealand vegetable seed sales division of Yates Limited.

"The Commission is satisfied that the proposed acquisition would not have, nor would be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition," said Paula Rebstock, Acting Chair of the Commerce Commission.

A copy of the Commission's written decision will be available on the Commission's website shortly, www.comcom.govt.nz.

Background

SPS is an importer of vegetable seeds for distribution and sale in Australia and New Zealand to commercial vegetable growers.

Yates' vegetable seed sales division in New Zealand markets and sells vegetable seeds to commercial vegetable growers. Yates has two major brands, Yates Vegetable Seeds and Webling & Stewart Seeds.

Media contact:

Geoff Thorn, Acting General Manager

Phone work (04) 924 3620, mobile 029 924 3620

Jackie Maitland, Communications Manager

Phone work (04) 924 3708, mobile 029 924 3708