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The CCPC gave the go-ahead to the deal on Friday morning.
In May, the two companies agreed that Dawn would acquire Dunbia’s two plants in the Republic of Ireland and a new joint venture would bring together their businesses across the UK.
The transaction makes Dawn overtake ABP in terms of the volumes of beef processed.
In the Republic of Ireland, Dawn has acquired Dunbia’s operations, and now has nine facilities, including five abattoirs, following the addition of two complementary Dunbia facilities - one abattoir in Slane, and one boning hall in Kilbeggan.
The combined businesses in the UK and Ireland will process approximately 900,000 cattle and 2.6m sheep annually.
The deal has been in a long gestation, with rumours for over 18 months that the two bodies were working on a deal.
In June, Dawn and Dunbia notified the CCPC of their proposed deal.
On Friday 29 September, the CCPC released the following statement:
"The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition by Dawn Meats Ireland of Dunbia (Ireland) Limited and Dunbia (Slane) and the establishment of a Joint Venture Company which will acquire the beef and lamb businesses in the United Kingdom of the Dunbia Group and the Dawn Meats Group of companies."
Dawn's growth
Dawn Meats' chief executive Niall Browne said the deal sees the company expands its empire across Europe.
“We are very pleased to have successfully concluded this process and can now look to deliver the benefits that we believe this transaction will bring for our customers, staff and suppliers. Our focus will continue to be on quality and sustainability across three leading national businesses: Dawn Meats in Ireland, Dunbia in the UK and Elivia in France.”
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