Merger draft ruling approaches

By Philippa Stevenson

The Commerce Commission will indicate its view on the proposed dairy industry mega-merger on August 5.

The draft determination shows interested parties what the commission sees as relevant and, on the information it has gleaned at the time, whether it would authorise the proposal.

Following submissions, the commission will make its final decision on September 28 - two weeks later than it indicated last week.

The application before the commission could unite the exporting Dairy Board with nine dairy companies, though one, Tatua Co-op, has already indicated it is unlikely to join.