GovWire

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Referral date: 9 January 2023

Statutory deadline: 16 July 2023

Contact

ForFarmers.Boparan@cma.gov.uk

Merger reference cancelled

8 February 2023: The CMA has cancelled its merger inquiry into the anticipated joint venture between ForFarmers N.V. (via ForFarmers UK Holdings Limited) and Boparan Private Office Limited (via Amber REI Holdings Limited) concerning ForFarmers UK Limited and 2 Agriculture Limited.

• Notice of cancellation (PDF, 112 KB) (8.2.23)
• News story: Poultry feed deal abandoned during CMAs Phase 2 investigation

Notice of extension

• Notice of extension of inquiry period (PDF, 113 KB) (8.2.23)

Inquiry group appointed

10 January 2023: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group.

Richard Feasey (Chair), Jo Armstrong, Stephen Rose and Maria Da Cunha.

Terms of reference

9 January 2023: The CMA has referred the anticipated joint venture between ForFarmers N.V. (via ForFarmers UK Holdings Limited) and Boparan Private Office Limited (via Amber REI Holdings Limited) concerning ForFarmers UK Limited and 2 Agriculture Limited for an in-depth investigation.

• Terms of reference (PDF, 105KB) (9.1.23)

Phase 1

Statutory timetable

Reference decision

9 January 2023: The CMA has referred the anticipated joint venture between ForFarmers N.V. (via ForFarmers UK Holdings Limited) and Boparan Private Office Limited (via Amber REI Holdings Limited) concerning ForFarmers UK Limited and 2 Agriculture Limited for an in-depth investigation, on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. The text of this decision will be published in due course.

Reference unless undertakings accepted

21 December 2022: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision will be published in due course.

• Summary of phase 1 decision (PDF, 116KB) (21.12.22)
• Press release: Poultry feed deal could lead to higher costs for farmers

Launch of merger inquiry

26 October 2022: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (PDF, 99.29KB) (26.10.22)

Invitation to comment: closed

26 October 2022: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to: general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk