The EU Commission approves, subject to remedies, an acquisition by world’s largest food and nutrition company of a US pet food company (Nestlé / Ralston)

"Merger control: main developments between 1 May and 31 August 2001"* On 27 July, Swiss-based Nestlé made significant concessions in order to obtain a clearance for the acquisition of the American petfood company Ralston Purina. The conditions concerns Spain, Italy and Greece. In Spain, Nestlé will grant an exclusive licence for a substantial period covering its Friskies branded pet food products, and divest the production site of Castellbisbal near Barcelona. Alternatively, it will divest Ralston Purina‘s 50% stake in the Spanish joint venture, Gallina Blanca Purina. In Italy and in Greece, the new entity will grant exclusive licences for Purina’s branded pet food