The UK Department of Trade and Industry has said it has referred the proposed acquisition of Express Dairies by Danish-based Arla Foods to the Competition Commission.

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“The OFT (Office of Fair Trading) has advised me that this proposed acquisition gives rise to a significant prospect of a substantial lessening of competition,” Competition Minister Gerry Sutcliffe was quoted by Reuters as saying.


“It would lead to a reduction in the number of potential suppliers of fresh milk to the larger supermarkets from four to three nationally and potentially from three to two in some regions,” he said.


The Competition Commission has been told to report on the case by 24 September.

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