The IFA has made a submission to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) on the proposed Dawn Meats/Dunbia merger.

In it, IFA president Joe Healy raised concerns about the possible impact on competition at farm level in the beef and sheep sectors and asked the CCPC to investigate this thoroughly.

The CCPC must be able to guarantee there is maximum competition operating in the market, he said.

The submission includes evidence, previously highlighted by the IFA to the CCPC, pointing to weak competition for farmers selling cattle and sheep to meat factories in Ireland.

It also raises concerns around the areas of factory feedlots, rendering and the relationship between factories and retailers. Joe Healy requested a meeting with the CCPC on the proposed merger.

The deal would see Dawn acquire the Dunbia beef factory in Slane and beef processing plant in Kilbeggan.

Dawn’s share of the national beef kill would rise to about 25%.

Read more

Dawn-Dunbia deal: time to deliver increased transparency

Dawn Meats-Dunbia deal: big three becomes big two