The planned merger between dairy cooperatives Campina and Friesland Foods has been given a qualified go-ahead by the European competition commission.

‘The parties have offered to sell off the fresh dairy division of Friesland Foods and the Campina cheese division plus two Campina brands of dairy drinks,’ says the commission in a statement.
The original merger terms, which would have created an organisation with combined turnover of €9bn, would have dominated the market too much.
‘We have been able to approve this significant concentration in the Dutch dairy sector because the parties offered substantial remedies, designed to keep these markets competitive and to ensure that consumers will not be harmed by the merger,’ competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said.
For the full commission statement, click here