The competition watchdog has cleared the proposed acquisition of Kildare Chilling by Dawn Meats after a full investigation of the deal.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) had determined in June that a full probe was needed to establish whether the proposed deal would affect competition in various sectors.

Dawn Meats is involved in slaughtering, processing and selling beef and lamb products, and rendering related products. It operates seven sites across the State, focusing in particular on beef processing.

Competitors

Kildare Chilling, which operates a single site in Kildare Town, is active in slaughtering and deboning cattle and sheep, and selling the resulting fresh meat cuts and by-products.

The CCPC said that its investigation looked at competition in several areas, and decided that there were still enough competitors in each of the relevant markets.

“As a result, the CCPC has determined that the proposed acquisition will not substantially lessen competition and can be put into effect,” it concluded.