Focus Antitrust - 23 August 2017

In The News

European Commission sends supplementary Statement of Objections to Visa on inter-regional interchange fees

The European Commission has sent a supplementary Statement of Objections to Visa Inc. and Visa International.  The supplementary Statement of Objections covers inter-regional interchange fees, which are charged on payments made with cards issued outside the EEA for purchases in the EEA, most typically by tourists or other travellers.  Click here.

CMA consults on commitments offered by trade body for funfairs

The CMA is consulting on commitments offered by the main trade body for funfairs, the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain.  The commitments involve proposed changes to the Guild’s rules and are intended to open up travelling fairs to greater competition.  Click here.     

EU

Mergers

• The European Commission has opened an in-depth Phase 2 merger investigation into the proposed acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer.  The Commission is concerned that the merger may reduce competition in areas such as pesticides, seeds and traits.  Click here.

UK

CMA

• The CMA has announced that it considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that undertakings in lieu offered by Wood Group in relation to its purchase of Amec Foster Wheeler might be acceptable to the CMA.  Click here.
• The CMA has closed its investigation into a suspected abuse of a dominant position by Unilever plc in the supply of single-wrapped impulse ice cream in the UK, on the basis that there are no grounds for action. The CMA was investigating whether Unilever had abused a dominant position by offering deals or prices for impulse ice cream to retailers in the UK which were likely to have an exclusionary effect.  Click here.

This article was written by Paul Stone. For more information, please contact Paul on +44(0)20 7203 5110 or at paul.stone@crsblaw.com.