ABP 'cleared' to acquire Scotbeef businesses after watchdog investigation

A competition regulator has ‘cleared' Anglo Beef Processor's (ABP) acquisition of Scotbeef after concerns the deal could have ‘undermined competition in the red meat sector'.

The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it had approved the Irish processor's takeover and merger of Scotbeef's businesses in the Bridge of Allan and Glasgow after a three-month investigation on Thursday (November 9).

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The competition watchdog had served an initial enforcement order under the Enterprise Act 2002 regarding an assets merger by ABP of Scotbeef's businesses after concerns the deal could lead to a ‘substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services'.

ABP - which employs 13,000 staff across nine countries - announced it had agreed a deal to acquire Scotbeef's Stirlingshire abattoir and Glasgow meat packing plant in June.

Scotbeef's sites at East Kilbride, Annan, Heysham and Wolverhampton were not included in the deal.

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Scotbeef chief executive Robbie Galloway said the takeover in June was the ‘right move for staff, supplies and for Scottish agriculture' in order to ‘secure the ongoing viability of slaughtering and packing facilities in Scotland'.

NFU Scotland's president Martin Kennedy said the acquisition had caused ‘significant concern' amongst its membership at the time of the announcement.

Neil Wilson, executive manager of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, had been concerned about the ‘direction of travel' for Scottish beef and sheep farmers who had suffered ‘lack of competition in finishing'.

Scottish Beef Association chair Paul Ross said he was disappointed to see ‘more power going to one large Irish processor and reduced competition for cattle'.

You can find more details about the merger here.

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