Australia-Consumer Commission to rule on poultry merger.

AUSTRALIA.

POULTRY INDUSTRY.

The proposed takeover of Barter Enterprises, poultry processing company, by the Baiada Group, is causing concerns about lack of competition in the market place, according to the Contract Poultry Committee.

The Australian Competition Consumers Commission, who set up the committee, have said if the takeover goes ahead it will greatly reduce competition in the industry.

The companies businesses include hatcheries, breeding farms, broiler houses for fattening, poultry food, pet food, processing and egg sales a broad spectrum across the industry.

Currently the two family owned companies, are the second and third largest in Australia, after Ingham Poultry which is the largest, also a family business. The new merger would make them the largest poultry processors and breeders in the country, if it goes through.

The Ingham brothers, have controlled the Australian poultry industry for decades and this new merger would see a transfer of power in the industry.