1.   At the same time, small operators have been disappearing.

2.   Compared with the small operators they took over, the giant companies deal with a wide range of rubbish.

3.   Plenty of small operators remain to be gobbled up by big ones able to meet the capital and research costs now required.

4.   But Russian distillers are not averse to letting small operators sell their vodka abroad.

5.   Cyberfarming is proving as helpful for small operators as for giant agribusinesses.

6.   Faced with falling prices, small operators are selling out to Fresenius and competitors.

7.   For small operators, however, even the decade allowed them to comply has been tough to meet.

8.   Modern techniques make it nearly impossible for a small operator to make any money, mining experts say.