More time for Pan Fish merger probe

UK - The Competition Commission has extended the deadline for information on the proposed merger between Pan Fish and Marine Harvest to August 14.

It has also indicated that it wants to come to the Highlands and Islands to collect further evidence. The Office of Fair Trading concluded that the proposed merger did raise serious competition issues.

Last week, Highlands and Islands Enterprise sent a generally positive response to the proposal, while drawing attention to the effect it might have on suppliers and the diminution of the image of Scottish salmon and the premium it commanded.

Highland Council has now expressed grave reservations about the effects of the market power that will be exercised by the new Pan Fish company.

The OFT estimated that Pan Fish and Marine Harvest, without including Fjord Seafood which has been bought over by Pan Fish, would produce up to 50% of Scottish farmed salmon.

Source: Fish Farmer