Press Release: Mergers: Commission clears proposed merger between Campina and Friesland Foods, subject to conditions

The European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed merger between Campina and Friesland Foods, both Dutch companies active in a range of dairy product markets, subject to conditions. The Commission's in-depth investigation, opened in July 2008, indicated that the concentration, as originally notified, would have raised competition concerns in the markets for the procurement of raw milk, fresh dairy products and cheese in The Netherlands and for long-life dairy drinks in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. To remedy the Commission's concerns, the merging parties offered to divest Friesland Foods' fresh dairy product business and a part of Campina's cheese business and two Campina brands for long life dairy drinks. They also offered remedies to ensure access to raw milk in The Netherlands. In light of these commitments, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.