The EU has once again extended its probe into the proposed merger between Dutch dairy groups Campina and Friesland Foods.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told just-food today (3 November) that its investigation into the deal would go on for a further 15 working days.
“The Commission would like more time to investigate,” the spokesperson said, although she declined to comment further on the inquiry.
The extension means the probe will go on until late December, a year after the two firms first said they were in talks over a merger.
The two sides struck a deal in April, unveiling plans to create FrieslandCampina, one of the world’s largest dairy firms with combined sales of EUR9.1bn (US$11.61bn).

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By GlobalDataAt the time, Campina and Friesland said the enlarged company would have 22,000 employees, 17,000 member farmers and over 100 production and distribution facilities worldwide.