Competition Authority to appeal beef industry decision

On 3 October 2006, the Competition Authority indicated that it will appeal the decision of the High Court of 27 July regarding the beef industry.  The Competition Authority had instituted proceedings against the Beef Industry Development Society to prevent beef factory owners, who slaughter approximately 93% of Irish commercial beef, from rationalising the industry.  The factory owners were proposing to pay off selected slaughterhouse and beef packing owners to close their plants permanently.  Judge Liam McKechnie decided that the Competition Authority had not made out a case that the plan was contrary to Article 81(1) of the EU Treaty.

Source: News-Alert from 'Competition', the Irish Business Journal of Competition Law and Regulatory Affairs, 3 October 2006.