| Author (Person) | Rocha, Frederico |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | From June 2016 to November 2017 |
| Publication Date | 30/11/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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Further information: The Commission's preliminary view, outlined in its Statement of Objections, is that AB InBev is dominant on the Belgian beer market. It alleges that AB InBev has abused this dominant market position by pursuing a deliberate strategy to prevent supermarkets and wholesalers from buying Jupiler and Leffe at lower prices in the Netherlands and France, and from importing them into Belgium. The Commission's preliminary view is that these practices have created anti-competitive obstacles to trade and partitioned the EU's Single Market along national borders. If confirmed, this would infringe Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) that prohibits the abuse of a dominant market position. Background information: A Statement of Objections is a formal step in Commission investigations into suspected violations of EU antitrust rules. The Commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them. The companies can then examine the documents on the Commission's investigation file, reply in writing and request an oral hearing to present their comments on the case before representatives of the Commission and national competition authorities. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (AB InBev) is the world's biggest beer brewer, with a very strong position on the Belgian beer market. Its most popular beer brands in Belgium are Jupiler and Leffe. AB InBev also sells these two brands in the Netherlands and France. The European Commission decided on 30 June 2016 to open an investigation to assess whether Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (AB InBev) abused its dominant position on the Belgian beer market by hindering imports of its beer from neighbouring countries, in breach of EU antitrust rules. On 30 November 2017, the Commission informed the company of its preliminary view on the case by sending a Statement of Objections. |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry, Internal Markets |
| Countries / Regions | Belgium, Europe |
