Allflex / Cox Agri merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the completed acquisition by Allflex of Cox Agri Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 9 February 2015
• Last updated: 9 June 2015 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Agriculture, environment and natural resources
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 9 February 2015
• Closed: 9 June 2015

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
9 June 2015	Decision published
7 May 2015	Decision announced
16 March to 30 March 2015	Invitation to comment
16 March 2015	Launch of merger inquiry
6 February 2015	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

7 May 2015: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Allflex of Cox Agri Limited. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (9.6.15)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

9 April 2015: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA revoked the initial enforcement order. A copy of the order is available below.

• Revocation order (9.4.15)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

16 March 2015: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted 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 has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

16 March 2015: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (16.3.15)

Initial enforcement order

On 6 February 2015, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Allflex Holding France SAS and Ritchey Limited in relation to the completed acquisition by Allflex Holding France SAS (through its subsidiary Ritchey Limited) of Alfred Cox Limited (the parent company of Cox Agri Limited). A copy of the order is below:

• Initial enforcement order (9.2.15)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 19 February 2015 (2.3.15)
• Derogation 25 February 2015 (2.3.15)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to:

Zoe Fiander
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

zoe.fiander@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 9 February 2015
Last updated 9 June 2015 + show all updates

1. 9 June 2015

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 9 February 2015

   First published.