Johannesburg - Astral Foods
[JSE:ARL] said on Friday
that the Competition Commission had acknowledged receipt of its
application for immunity following allegations that one of its business
units was involved in anti-competitive behaviour.
The poultry producer said the application stemmed from the
commission's summons issued in 2009 and arose in the context of
investigations initiated by the commission into poultry feed, poultry
breeding stock, broiler production and poultry products addressed to the
Southern African Poultry Association, all past and present members and
other players in the poultry products industry.
Astral chief executive Chris Schutte said: "We have instructed
our attorneys to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged
anti-competitive conduct which occurred between 2003 and 2007. Once the
results of the investigation are available, we will respond
appropriately to the allegations."
The company added that it had also been notified by the
commission of a complaint investigation pertaining to dairy feed.