Mussel harvesting in Galicia. (Photo: Xunta de Galicia)

Mussel producer organisations fined with 1.8 million

SPAIN
Tuesday, May 03, 2011, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The National Competition Commission (CNC) imposed fines on several mussel producer organizations in Galicia for setting sale prices, distributing the production and establishing common business conditions.

The 15 companies sanctioned must pay about EUR 1.8 million altogether.

According to the information provided by the CNC, in October 2008 the National Association of Canned Fish and Seafood Manufacturers (Anfaco) filed a complaint against various entities that include mussel producers in that independent community.

After inspections in the organizations and in the Mussel Control Board of Galicia in 2009, the Investigation Department of the CNC decided to open disciplinary proceedings against the companies evaluated.

For the Commission, at least since 1997 negotiations have been designed to coordinate mussel sale conditions.

"For this action various means have been used: Control Board meetings, bilateral or multilateral meetings, despite being always aimed toward the same end: the pricing and other trading conditions. In addition, these entities have always sought to organize the order deliveries and, in certain times when the coordination has been stronger, the pooling of sales as a complementary mechanism for the maintenance of pricing," the CNC added in a press release.

It has also pointed out that the exchange of confidential information that has often been used through various instruments and through the control mechanisms applied at certain times, "have resulted in 'boycotts' and reprisals to other producers who would not follow the agreements".

For the CNC, such attitudes are not competitive and the mussel producer organizations involved "are responsible for unlawful behaviour during the period 1997-2008."

The sanctioned entities are:

• Mussel Producers Organisation of Galicia (Opmega): EUR 901,518.16;
• Farn: EUR 479,000;
• Galician Mussel Association (Agame): EUR 118,500;
• Amegrove: EUR 118,500;
• Illa de Arousa: EUR 42,000;
• Socomgal: EUR 48,500;
• AMC: EUR 39,500;
• Cons of Udra: EUR 30,000;
• A Boirense: EUR 6,000;
• San Amaro: EUR 2,500;
• Amevila: EUR 2,000;
• Egrome: EUR 1,600;
• Business Association of Marine Aquaculture Producers (Apromar): EUR 1,500;
• Seixo: EUR 1,000;
• Xidoiros: EUR 600.
   

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
 

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