EU approves merger between Milk Link and Arla Foods

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EU approves merger between Milk Link and Arla Foods
Published:
28 September 2012
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ArIa Foods amba and Milk Link are pleased to be able to confirm that regulatory approval has been granted by the European Commission to merge. The Commission’s approval means that the merger will now complete on 1 October, enabling the formation of the UK’s number one dairy company.

The approval of the merger has been given subject to Arla implementing a remedy to address the Commission’s concerns relating to a perceived reduction of competition in the UK long life milk market.

As such, in order to restore effective competition, Arla has committed to divest Milk Link’s milk drinks business at Crediton on a viable and separate, standalone basis. This business includes Crediton dairy, which produces all of Milk Link's long life milk, long life cream, extended shelf life milk and flavoured dairy drinks and fresh bulk cream.

The milk drinks business will be sold to a purchaser on terms approved by the Commission. As such, from now the existing milk drinks business will be ring fenced from the rest of the merged business and as part of its commitment to the Commission, Arla has undertaken to preserve the economic viability, marketability and competitiveness of the business. This includes making re-sources available for the development of the business, in line with our existing business plans, and the retention of a dedicated senior level management team to lead the business.

Arla Foods UK’s long life milk business, based at its Settle creamery, will not be affected by the remedy and will retain an established market position in long life and flavoured milk.

Read more about the merger between Arla and Milk Link here.

Arla Foods is an international dairy company owned by more than 8,400 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Arla Foods is one of the leading players in the international dairy arena with well-known brands like Arla®, Lurpak®, Puck® and Castello®. Arla Foods is focused on providing good dairy nourishment from sustainable farming and operations and is also the world's largest manufacturer of organic dairy products.

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Arla Group Press Office
Arla Group Press Office (journalists/media only) pressoffice@arlafoods.com +4591310310