The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Columbus Netherlands B.V. known as “Zenda” and of six companies forming the Brazilian “Seara” business, both currently owned by Marfrig Alimentos S.A., by JBS S.A. of Brazil. Zenda produces leather for use in various sectors, including automotive, furniture, shoes and garment. Seara is primarily active in the rearing of live poultry and pigs for slaughter and in the production of primary and processed poultry and pork products in Brazil. Seara exports primary poultry and processed chicken to the European Economic Area (EEA). JBS produces beef products, hides and other cattle parts and also has activities in pork and poultry. It exports its products, among others, to the EEA.
The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns, in particular because the overlaps between the activities of JBS, Zenda and Seara are limited. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.7012 .
Monday September 23, 2013/ European Commission/ European Union.
http://europa.eu/rapid/