Fonterra req2018550,1,779,0,”UK scrutinises Arla takeover

UK – The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has requested the European Commission to refer parts of the proposed takeover of Express Dairies by Arla Foods to the UK competition authorities.

OFT chairman John Vickers said: “The proposed transaction raises possible competition concerns within the UK in relation to the procurement of raw milk, the supply of fresh processed milk and the supply of fresh potted cream.

“Those concerns are best examined in the UK, so we have asked the European Commission to refer the relevant parts of the transaction for consideration here.” It is the first request made by the OFT for an EC merger to be referred back to the UK, as previous requests have been put f