1.   

On 13 February 2020, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—	Savencia S.A. (‘Savencia’, France), and

—	Compagnie des Fromages et Richesmonts (‘CF&R’, France), jointly controlled by Savencia and Sodiaal Union (France).

Savencia acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of CF&R.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.   

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	Savencia: manufacturing of dairy products (such as butter, cream and milk‐derived products) and cheese products, and marketing thereof, mainly in France as well as in other countries of the European Union.

—	CF&R: manufacturing and marketing of cheeses, including Camembert, Coulommiers, Brie, Munster and Raclette, mainly in France and to a lesser extent in other countries of the European Union.

3.   

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2), it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.   

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit to it their possible observations on the proposed operation.

Observations must reach the Commission no later than ten days following the date on which this notification is published. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9690 — Savencia/Compagnie des Fromages et Richesmonts

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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