The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has revealed that it has approved ABP's purchase of Scotbeef sites.

Scotbeef inside factory

The Scotbeef sites and ABP UK will merge, following the CMA's decision.

ABP announced in June 2023 that it had bought a Scotbeef meat facility and an abattoir owned by Scotbeef, prompting CMA to investigate the deal in August.

CMA said in its official enforcement order in July: "The CMA has reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is or may be the case that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in Anglo Beef Processors UK (ABP UK) and Scotbeef Limited's (Scotbeef) business carrying out the slaughter, processing, packing, storage and sale of cattle and lamb products... ceasing to be distinct."

In the clearance decision, published 14th December, CMA said: "It is clear that the Merged Entity faces competition from a range of competitors. Therefore, the CMA found that the Merger does not give rise to a realistic prospect of an SLC as a result of horizontal unilateral effects in relation to the supply of fresh beef in the UK.

The Scotbeef sites will merge with ABP UK to work as one business entity.

This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.

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