ABP / Dovecote Park merger inquiry
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the completed acquisition by ABP Food Group Unlimited of an indirect minority shareholding in Extra Detail Limited.
Statutory timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 27 December 2026 | Deadline for phase 1 decision (*) |
| 29 October 2026 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 29 October 2026 | Invitation to comment (**) |
| 17 September 2026 | Initial enforcement order |
(*) Whilst the CMA will seek to determine its investigation as quickly as possible, the statutory deadline can be extended in certain limited circumstances.
(**) The CMA is inviting comments from any interested party.
Phase 1
Launch of merger inquiry
29 October 2026: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (29.10.26)
Invitation to comment: Closes 12 November 2026
29 October 2026: The Competition and Markets Authority (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.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.
Written representations about any competition issues should be provided by the deadline set out above.
Initial enforcement order
17 September 2026: The CMA has served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on 17 September 2026 in relation to the completed acquisition by ABP Food Group Unlimited of an indirect minority shareholding in Extra Detail Limited.
- (21.9.26)
Amendments and consents granted
- (30.9.26)
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition issues to:
- Principal Case Officer: Daniel Norcott, daniel.norcott@cma.gov.uk, 020 3738 6353
Privacy notice
Your name and contact details are your personal data. In collecting, receiving, storing, accessing and using your personal data, the CMA, as controller, is processing your personal data. The CMA processes personal data in accordance with data protection law. The CMA is processing your personal data so that it can contact you again, should it need further help or information from you, in order to carry out its merger work under Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002. For more information about how the CMA processes personal data and your rights relating to that data, please read our personal information charter.