Lakeland Dairies (N.I.) Limited / LacPatrick Dairies Co-Operative Society Limited merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the anticipated acquisition by Lakeland Dairies (N.I.) Limited of LacPatrick Co-Operative Society Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 26 November 2018
• Last updated: 5 March 2019 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Food manufacturing
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 26 November 2018
• Closed: 21 March 2019

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 Date	Action
5 March 2019	Decision announced
8 February 2019	Revocation of initial enforcement order
15 January 2019	Launch of merger inquiry
23 November 2018	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

5 March 2019: The CMA has cleared the anticipated acquisition by Lakeland Dairies (N.I.) Limited of LacPatrick Co-Operative Society Limited.

• Full text decision (21.3.19)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

8 February 2019: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA has revoked the initial enforcement order.

• Revocation order (11.2.19)

Launch of merger inquiry

15 January 2019: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (16.1.19)

Invitation to comment: Closes on 30 January 2019

16 January 2019: The Competition and Markets Authority (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.

Initial enforcement order

On 23 November 2018, The CMA has served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Lakeland Dairies (N.I.) Limited, Lakeland Dairies Co-Operative Society Limited and LacPatrick Dairies Co-Operative Society Limited, in relation to the anticipated acquisition by Lakeland Dairies (N.I.) Limited of LacPatrick Dairies Co-Operative Society Limited.

• Variation of initial enforcement order (12.12.18)
• Initial enforcement order (26.11.18)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 11 December 2018 (12.12.18)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

mergersupportteam@cma.gov.uk

Published 26 November 2018
Last updated 5 March 2019 + show all updates

1. 5 March 2019

   Clearance decision announced.

2. 11 February 2019

   Revocation of the initial enforcement order published.

3. 16 January 2019

   Launch of the merger inquiry and the invitation to comment have been announced.

4. 26 November 2018

   First published.