# Official Journal C 336/2016

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 336 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5913 September 2016 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 336

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5913 September 2016

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | Council |
| 2016/C 336/01 | Council Decision of 12 September 2016 adopting the Council's position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 | 1 |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 336/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2016/C 336/03 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 3 |
| 2016/C 336/04 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 3 |

Notice No

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

2016/C 336/01

Council Decision of 12 September 2016 adopting the Council's position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017

1

European Commission

2016/C 336/02

Euro exchange rates

2

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2016/C 336/03

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

3

2016/C 336/04

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

3

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 336/05 | Calls for proposals under the work programme for grants in the field of the trans-European telecommunication networks under the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2014-2020 (Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 1225) | 4 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 336/06 | Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of ceramic tiles originating in the People's Republic of China | 5 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 336/07 | Notification of a concentration (Case M.7930 — ABP Group/Fane Valley Group/Slaney Foods) (
  1
  ) | 16 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2016/C 336/05

Calls for proposals under the work programme for grants in the field of the trans-European telecommunication networks under the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2014-2020 (Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 1225)

4

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2016/C 336/06

Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of ceramic tiles originating in the People's Republic of China

5

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2016/C 336/07

Notification of a concentration (Case M.7930 — ABP Group/Fane Valley Group/Slaney Foods) (
  1
  )

1

16

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| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

| 13.9.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 336/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.9.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 336/1

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 12 September 2016

adopting the Council's position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017

(2016/C 336/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 314(3) thereof, in conjunction with the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community and in particular Article 106a thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | On 18 July 2016, the Commission submitted a proposal containing the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 (1). |
| --- | --- |

(1)

On 18 July 2016, the Commission submitted a proposal containing the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 (1).

| (2) | The Council examined the Commission proposal with a view to defining a position consistent, on the revenue side, with Council Decision 2007/436/EC, Euratom of 7 June 2007 on the system of the European Communities' own resources (2), and, on the expenditure side, with Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (3), |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The Council examined the Commission proposal with a view to defining a position consistent, on the revenue side, with Council Decision 2007/436/EC, Euratom of 7 June 2007 on the system of the European Communities' own resources (2), and, on the expenditure side, with Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (3),

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The Council's position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 was adopted by the Council on 12 September 2016.

The full text can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the Council's website: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/

Done at Brussels, 12 September 2016.

For the Council

The President

M. LAJČÁK

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(1)  COM(2016) 300 final.

1

(2)  OJ L 163, 23.6.2007, p. 17.

2

(3)  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884.

3

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European Commission

| 13.9.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 336/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.9.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 336/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

12 September 2016

(2016/C 336/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1226 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 114,38 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4434 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,84475 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,5587 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0935 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,2713 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,024 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 309,98 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,3494 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4499 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 3,3473 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4930 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4722 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,7091 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,5350 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5277 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 252,33 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,2563 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,4995 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4860 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 705,50 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6370 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 53,383 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 73,0373 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,145 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,6931 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 21,4395 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 75,1105 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1226

JPY

Japanese yen

114,38

DKK

Danish krone

7,4434

GBP

Pound sterling

0,84475

SEK

Swedish krona

9,5587

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0935

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,2713

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,024

HUF

Hungarian forint

309,98

PLN

Polish zloty

4,3494

RON

Romanian leu

4,4499

TRY

Turkish lira

3,3473

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4930

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4722

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,7091

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,5350

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5277

KRW

South Korean won

1 252,33

ZAR

South African rand

16,2563

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,4995

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4860

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 705,50

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6370

PHP

Philippine peso

53,383

RUB

Russian rouble

73,0373

THB

Thai baht

39,145

BRL

Brazilian real

3,6931

MXN

Mexican peso

21,4395

INR

Indian rupee

75,1105

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(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 13.9.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 336/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.9.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 336/3

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2016/C 336/03)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 2.7.2016 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 2.7.2016–31.12.2016 |
| Member State | Belgium |
| Stock or Group of stocks | HAD/7X7A34 |
| Species | Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) |
| Zone | VIIb-k, VIII, IX and X; Union waters of CECAF 34.1.1 |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 16/TQ72 |

Date and time of closure

2.7.2016

Duration

2.7.2016–31.12.2016

Member State

Belgium

Stock or Group of stocks

HAD/7X7A34

Species

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Zone

VIIb-k, VIII, IX and X; Union waters of CECAF 34.1.1

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

16/TQ72

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(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 13.9.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 336/3 |
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13.9.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 336/3

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2016/C 336/04)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 1.7.2016 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 1.7.2016–31.12.2016 |
| Member State | Portugal |
| Stock or Group of stocks | MAC/8C3411 |
| Species | Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) |
| Zone | VIIIc, IX and X; Union waters of CECAF 34.1.1 |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 17/TQ72 |

Date and time of closure

1.7.2016

Duration

1.7.2016–31.12.2016

Member State

Portugal

Stock or Group of stocks

MAC/8C3411

Species

Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Zone

VIIIc, IX and X; Union waters of CECAF 34.1.1

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

17/TQ72

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 13.9.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 336/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.9.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 336/4

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Calls for proposals under the work programme for grants in the field of the trans-European telecommunication networks under the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2014-2020

(Commission Implementing Decision C(2016) 1225)

(2016/C 336/05)

The European Commission, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, is hereby launching four calls for proposals in order to award grants to projects in accordance with the priorities and objectives defined in the 2016 work programme in the field of the trans-European telecommunication networks under the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2014-2020.

Proposals are invited for the following four calls:

| | CEF-TC-2016-3: Automated Translation |
| --- | --- |

CEF-TC-2016-3: Automated Translation

| | CEF-TC-2016-3: Cyber Security |
| --- | --- |

CEF-TC-2016-3: Cyber Security

| | CEF-TC-2016-3: eInvoicing |
| --- | --- |

CEF-TC-2016-3: eInvoicing

| | CEF-TC-2016-3: Europeana |
| --- | --- |

CEF-TC-2016-3: Europeana

The total indicative budget available for proposals selected under these calls is EUR 27,5 million.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 15 December 2016.

The respective call documentation is available on the CEF Telecom website: https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-telecom/apply-funding/2016-cef-telecom-calls-proposals

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 13.9.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 336/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.9.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 336/5

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Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of ceramic tiles originating in the People's Republic of China

(2016/C 336/06)

Following the publication of a Notice of impending expiry (1) of the anti-dumping measures in force on the imports of ceramic tiles originating in the People's Republic of China, the European Commission (‘the Commission’) has received a request for review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (2) (‘the basic Regulation’).

1.   Request for review

The request was lodged on 15 June 2016 by the European Ceramic Tile Manufacturers' Federation (CET) (‘the applicant’) on behalf of producers representing more than 25 % of the total Union production of ceramic tiles.

2.   Product under review

The product subject to this review is glazed and unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; glazed and unglazed ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing (‘the product under review’), currently falling within CN codes 6907 10 00, 6907 90 20, 6907 90 80, 6908 10 00, 6908 90 11, 6908 90 20, 6908 90 31, 6908 90 51, 6908 90 91, 6908 90 93 and 6908 90 99.

3.   Existing measures

The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 917/2011 (3), as last amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/782 adding a company to the list of producers from the People's Republic of China listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) No 917/2011 (4).

4.   Grounds for the review

The request is based on the grounds that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in a continuation of dumping and recurrence of injury to the Union industry.

4.1.   
  Allegation of likelihood of a continuation of dumping

Since, in view of the provisions of Article 2(7) of the basic Regulation, the People's Republic of China (‘the country concerned’) is considered to be a non-market-economy country, the applicant established normal value for the imports from the People's Republic of China on the basis of the price in a market-economy third country, namely the United States of America. The allegation of likelihood of a continuation of dumping is based on a comparison of the normal value thus established with the export price (at ex-works level) of the product under review when sold for export to the Union.

On this basis the dumping margins calculated are significant for the country concerned.

4.2.   
  Allegation of likelihood of recurrence of injury

The applicant alleges the likelihood of recurrence of injury. In this respect the applicant has provided prima facie evidence that, should measures be allowed to lapse, the current import level of the product under review from the country concerned to the Union is likely to increase due to the existence of unused capacity of the manufacturing facilities of the exporting producers in the People's Republic of China and the attractiveness of the Union market as evidenced by an increasing demand for and high prices of the product under review. In addition the applicant alleges that in view of the trade defence measures imposed on imports from the People's Republic of China recently by certain third countries and the initiation of trade defence investigations in others, there is a risk, should the measures be allowed to lapse, of redirection of some volumes from these countries to the Union.

The applicant finally alleges that the removal of injury has been mainly due to the existence of measures and that any recurrence of substantial imports at dumped prices from the country concerned would likely lead to a recurrence of injury to the Union industry should measures be allowed to lapse.

5.   Procedure

Having determined, after consulting the Committee established by Article 15(1) of the basic Regulation, that sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of an expiry review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation.

The expiry review will determine whether the expiry of the measures would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping of the product under review originating in the country concerned and a continuation or recurrence of injury to the Union industry.

5.1.   
  Review investigation period and period considered

The investigation of a continuation or recurrence of dumping will cover the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 (‘the review investigation period’). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of the likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury will cover the period from 1 January 2013 to the end of the investigation period (‘the period considered’).

5.2.   
  Procedure for the determination of a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of dumping

Exporting producers (5) of the product under review from the country concerned, including those that did not cooperate in the investigation(s) leading to the measures in force, are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.

5.2.1.   Investigating exporting producers

Sampling

In view of the potentially large number of exporting producers in the People's Republic of China involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit the exporting producers to be investigated to a reasonable number by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary, and if so, to select a sample, all exporting producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including the ones who did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures subject to the present review, are hereby requested to make themselves known to the Commission. These parties have to do so within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified, by providing the Commission with the information on their company(ies) requested in Annex I to this Notice.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of exporting producers, the Commission will also contact the authorities of the country concerned and may contact any known associations of exporting producers.

All interested parties wishing to submit any other relevant information regarding the selection of the sample, excluding the information requested above, must do so within 21 days of the publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified.

If a sample is necessary, the exporting producers will be selected based on the largest representative volume of production, sales or exports which can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known exporting producers, the authorities of the country concerned and associations of exporting producers will be notified by the Commission, via the authorities of the country concerned if appropriate, of the companies selected to be in the sample.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation with regard to exporting producers, the Commission will send questionnaires to the exporting producers selected to be in the sample, to any known association of exporting producers and to the authorities of the country concerned.

All exporting producers selected to be in the sample, will have to submit a completed questionnaire within 37 days from the date of notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified.

Without prejudice to the possible application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation, companies that have agreed to their possible inclusion in the sample but are not selected to be in the sample will be considered to be cooperating (‘non-sampled cooperating exporting producers’).

5.2.2.   Additional procedure with regard to exporting producers in the non-market-economy country concerned

Selection of a market-economy third country

In accordance with Article 2(7)(a) of the basic Regulation, in the case of imports from the country concerned normal value will be determined on the basis of the price or constructed value in a market-economy third country.

In the previous investigation, the United States of America was used as a market-economy third country for the purpose of establishing normal value in respect of the country concerned. For the purpose of the current investigation, the Commission envisages using again the United States of America. According to the information available to the Commission, other market-economy producers may be located, inter alia, in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, India and Brazil. With the aim of finally selecting the market-economy country, the Commission will examine whether there is production and sales of the product under review in those market-economy third countries for which there are indications that production of the product under review is taking place. Interested parties are invited to comment on the choice of an analogue country within 10 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

5.2.3.   Investigating unrelated importers
   (6)
   (7)

Unrelated importers of the product under review from the country concerned to the Union, including those that did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures in force, are invited to participate in this investigation.

In view of the potentially large number of unrelated importers involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit to a reasonable number the unrelated importers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all unrelated importers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including those that did not cooperate in the investigation(s) leading to the measures in force, are hereby requested to make themselves known to the Commission. These parties must do so within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified, by providing the Commission with the information on their company(ies) requested in Annex II to this Notice.

In order to obtain information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of unrelated importers, the Commission may also contact any known associations of importers.

All interested parties wishing to submit any other relevant information regarding the selection of the sample, excluding the information requested above, must do so within 21 days of the publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified.

If a sample is necessary, the importers may be selected based on the largest representative volume of sales of the product under review in the Union which can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known unrelated importers and associations of importers will be notified by the Commission of the companies selected to be in the sample.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the sampled unrelated importers and to any known association of importers. These parties must submit a completed questionnaire within 37 days from the date of the notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified.

5.3.   
  Procedure for the determination of a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury

In order to establish whether there is a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury to the Union industry, Union producers of the product under review are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.

Investigating Union producers

In view of the large number of Union producers involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission has decided to limit to a reasonable number the Union producers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling is carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

The Commission has provisionally selected a sample of Union producers. Details can be found in the file for inspection by interested parties. Interested parties are hereby invited to consult the file (for this they should contact the Commission using the contact details provided in Section 5.7 below). Other Union producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including Union producers who did not cooperate in the investigation(s) leading to the measures in force, that consider that there are reasons why they should be included in the sample must contact the Commission within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

All interested parties wishing to submit any other relevant information regarding the selection of the sample must do so within 21 days of the publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified.

All known Union producers and/or associations of Union producers will be notified by the Commission of the companies finally selected to be in the sample.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the sampled Union producers and to any known associations of Union producers. These parties must submit a completed questionnaire within 37 days from the date of the notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified.

5.4.   
  Procedure for the assessment of Union interest

Should the likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury be confirmed, a decision will be reached, pursuant to Article 21 of the basic Regulation, as to whether maintaining the anti-dumping measures would not be against the Union interest. Union producers, importers and their representative associations, users and their representative associations, and representative consumer organisations are invited to make themselves known within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified. In order to participate in the investigation, the representative consumer organisations have to demonstrate, within the same deadline, that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under review.

Parties that make themselves known within the above deadline may provide the Commission with information on the Union interest within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified. This information may be provided either in a free format or by completing a questionnaire prepared by the Commission. In any case, information submitted pursuant to Article 21 will only be taken into account if supported by factual evidence at the time of submission.

5.5.   
  Other written submissions

Subject to the provisions of this Notice, all interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

5.6.   
  Possibility to be heard by the Commission investigation services

All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission investigation services. Any request to be heard must be made in writing and must specify the reasons for the request. For hearings on issues pertaining to the initial stage of the investigation the request must be submitted within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. Thereafter, a request to be heard must be submitted within the specific deadlines set by the Commission in its communication with the parties.

5.7.   
  Instructions for making written submissions and sending completed questionnaires and correspondence

Information submitted to the Commission for the purpose of trade defence investigations shall be free from copyrights. Interested parties, before submitting to the Commission information and/or data which is subject to third party copyrights, must request specific permission to the copyright holder explicitly allowing (a) the Commission to use the information and data for the purpose of this trade defence proceeding; and (b) to provide the information and/or data to interested parties to this investigation in a form that allows them to exercise their rights of defence.

All written submissions, including the information requested in this Notice, completed questionnaires and correspondence provided by interested parties for which confidential treatment is requested shall be labelled ‘Limited’ (8).

Interested parties providing ‘Limited’ information are required to furnish non-confidential summaries of it pursuant to Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested parties’. These summaries must be sufficiently detailed to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information submitted in confidence. If an interested party providing confidential information does not furnish a non-confidential summary of it in the requested format and quality, such information may be disregarded.

Interested parties are invited to make all submissions and requests by email including scanned powers of attorney and certification sheets, with the exception of voluminous replies which shall be submitted on a CD-ROM or DVD by hand or by registered mail. By using email, interested parties express their agreement with the rules applicable to electronic submissions contained in the document ‘Correspondence with the European Commission in trade defence cases’ published on the website of the Directorate-General for Trade: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2011/june/tradoc_148003.pdf The interested parties must indicate their name, address, telephone and a valid email address and they should ensure that the provided email address is a functioning official business email which is checked on a daily basis. Once contact details are provided, the Commission will communicate with interested parties by email only, unless they explicitly request to receive all documents from the Commission by another means of communication or unless the nature of the document to be sent requires the use of a registered mail. For further rules and information concerning correspondence with the Commission including principles that apply to submissions by email, interested parties should consult the communication instructions with interested parties referred to above.

Commission address for correspondence:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Trade |
| Directorate H |
| Office: CHAR 04/039 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
| Email: |
| (a) | TRADE-CERAMIC-TILES-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu to be used by exporting producers, related importers, their associations and representatives of the countries concerned; |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate H

Office: CHAR 04/039

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email:

(a)

TRADE-CERAMIC-TILES-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu to be used by exporting producers, related importers, their associations and representatives of the countries concerned;

| (b) | TRADE-CERAMIC-TILES-INJURY@ec.europa.eu to be used by Union producers, unrelated importers, suppliers, users, consumers and their associations within the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

TRADE-CERAMIC-TILES-INJURY@ec.europa.eu to be used by Union producers, unrelated importers, suppliers, users, consumers and their associations within the Union.

6.   Non-cooperation

In cases where any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits, or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made on the basis of facts available, in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information may be disregarded and use may be made of facts available.

If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially and findings are therefore based on facts available in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

Failure to give a computerised response shall not be deemed to constitute non-cooperation, provided that the interested party shows that presenting the response as requested would result in an unreasonable extra burden or unreasonable additional cost. The interested party should immediately contact the Commission.

7.   Hearing Officer

Interested parties may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings. The Hearing Officer acts as an interface between the interested parties and the Commission investigation services. The Hearing Officer reviews requests for access to the file, disputes regarding the confidentiality of documents, requests for extension of time limits and requests by third parties to be heard. The Hearing Officer may organise a hearing with an individual interested party and mediate to ensure that the interested parties' rights of defence are being fully exercised.

A request for a hearing with the Hearing Officer should be made in writing and should specify the reasons for the request. For hearings on issues pertaining to the initial stage of the investigation the request must be submitted within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. Thereafter, a request to be heard must be submitted within specific deadlines set by the Commission in its communication with the parties.

The Hearing Officer will also provide opportunities for a hearing involving parties to take place which would allow different views to be presented and rebuttal arguments offered on issues pertaining, among other things, to the likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury and Union interest.

For further information and contact details interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer's web pages on DG Trade's website: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/trade-policy-and-you/contacts/hearing-officer/

8.   Schedule of the investigation

The investigation will be concluded, pursuant to Article 11(5) of the basic Regulation within 15 months of the date of the publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

9.   Possibility to request a review under Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation

As this expiry review is initiated in accordance with the provisions of Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation, the findings thereof will not lead to the existing measures being amended but will lead to those measures being repealed or maintained in accordance with Article 11(6) of the basic Regulation.

If any interested party considers that a review of the measures is warranted so as to allow for the possibility to amend the measures, that party may request a review pursuant to Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation.

Parties wishing to request such a review, which would be carried out independently of the expiry review mentioned in this Notice, may contact the Commission at the address given above.

10.   Processing of personal data

Any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (9).

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(1)  OJ C 425, 18.12.2015, p. 20.

(2)  OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21.

(3)  Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 917/2011 of 12 September 2011 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of ceramic tiles originating in the People's Republic of China (OJ L 238, 15.9.2011, p. 1).

(4)  OJ L 124, 20.5.2015, p. 9.

(5)  An exporting producer is any company in the country concerned which produces and exports the product under review to the Union market, either directly or via third party, including any of its related companies involved in the production, domestic sales or exports of the product under review.

(6)  Only importers not related to exporting producers can be sampled. Importers that are related to exporting producers have to fill in Annex 1 to the questionnaire for these exporting producers. In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person's business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In this context ‘person’ means any natural or legal person.

In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

(7)  The data provided by unrelated importers may also be used in relation to aspects of this investigation other than the determination of dumping.

(8)  A ‘Limited’ document is a document which is considered confidential pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement). It is also a document protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43).

(9)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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ANNEX I

Image

☐ ‘Limited’ version (1)

☐ Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’

(tick the appropriate box)

ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING CONCERNING IMPORTS OF CERAMIC TILES ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SAMPLE OF EXPORTING PRODUCERS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

This form is designed to assist exporting producers in the People’s Republic of China in responding to the request for sampling information made in point 5.2.1 of the Notice of Initiation.

Both the ‘Limited’ version and the version ‘For inspection by interested parties’ should be returned to the Commission as set out in the Notice of Initiation.

1. IDENTITY AND CONTACT DETAILS

Supply the following details about your company:

Company name

Chinese name

Address

Contact person

Email address

Telephone

Fax

Taric Additional Code (*)

(*) In the case that your company is listed in the Annex I of the Regulation (EU) No 917/2011, please provide its TARIC additional code.

The Regulation can be found at:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:238:0001:0023:EN:PDF

2. TURNOVER, SALES VOLUME, PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTION CAPACITY

Indicate the turnover in the accounting currency of the company during the review investigation period (export sales to the Union for each of the 28 Member States (2) separately and in total, export sales to the rest of the world and domestic sales) of ceramic tiles as defined in the Notice of Initiation and the corresponding weight in tonnes and the corresponding area in m2 as well as production and production capacity. State the currency used.

Table I

Turnover and sales volume

Weight in tonnes

Area in m2

Value in accounting currency

Specify the currency used

Export sales to the Union, for each of the 28 Member States separately and in total, of the product under review, manufactured by your company

Total:

Name each Member State (1):

(1) This document is for internal use only. It is protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement).

(2) The 28 Member States of the European Union are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Image

Weight in tonnes

Area in m2

Value in accounting currency

Specify the currency used

Export sales of the product under review, manufactured by your company to the rest of the world

Total:

Name the five biggest importing countries and give the respective volumes and values (1)

Domestic sales of the product under review, manufactured by your company

(1) Add additional rows where necessary.

Table II

Production and production capacity

Weight in tonnes

Area in m2

Your company’s overall production of the product under review

Your company’s production capacity of the product under review

3. ACTIVITIES OF YOUR COMPANY AND RELATED COMPANIES (1)

Give details of the precise activities of the company and all related companies (please list them and state the relationship to your company) involved in the production and/or selling (export and/or domestic) of the product under review. Such activities could include but are not limited to purchasing the product under review or producing it under subcontracting arrangements, or processing or trading the product under review.

Company name and location

Activities

Relationship

4. OTHER INFORMATION

Please provide any other relevant information which the company considers useful to assist the Commission in the selection of the sample.

(1) In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person’s business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In this context ‘person’ means any natural or legal person.

In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

Image

5. CERTIFICATION

By providing the above information, the company agrees to its possible inclusion in the sample. If the company is selected to be part of the sample, this will involve completing a questionnaire and accepting a visit at its premises in order to verify its response. If the company indicates that it does not agree to its possible inclusion in the sample, it will be deemed not to have cooperated in the investigation. The Commission’s findings for non-cooperating exporting producers are based on facts available and the result may be less favourable to that company than if it had cooperated.

Signature of authorised official:

Name and title of authorised official:

Date:

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ANNEX II

Image

☐ ‘Limited’ version (1)

☐ Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’

(tick the appropriate box)

ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING CONCERNING IMPORTS OF CERAMIC TILES ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SAMPLE OF UNRELATED IMPORTERS

This form is designed to assist unrelated importers in responding to the request for sampling information made in point 5.2.3 of the Notice of Initiation.

Both the ‘Limited’ version and the version ‘For inspection by interested parties’ should be returned to the Commission as set out in the Notice of Initiation.

1. IDENTITY AND CONTACT DETAILS

Supply the following details about your company:

Company name

Address

Contact person

Email address

Telephone

Fax

2. TURNOVER AND SALES VOLUME

Indicate the total turnover in euros (EUR) of the company, and the turnover and weight or volume for imports into the Union (2) and resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China, during the review investigation period, of ceramic tiles as defined in the Notice of Initiation and the corresponding weight or volume. State the unit of weight or volume used.

Weight in tonnes

Area in m2

Value in euros (EUR)

Total turnover of your company in euros (EUR)

Imports of the product under review into the Union

Resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China of the product under review

(1) This document is for internal use only. It is protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement).

(2) The 28 Member States of the European Union are: Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Croatia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Image

3. ACTIVITIES OF YOUR COMPANY AND RELATED COMPANIES (1)

Give details of the precise activities of the company and all related companies (please list them and state the relationship to your company) involved in the production and/or selling (export and/or domestic) of the product under review. Such activities could include but are not limited to purchasing the product under review or producing it under sub-contracting arrangements, or processing or trading the product under review.

Company name and location

Activities

Relationship

4. OTHER INFORMATION

Please provide any other relevant information which the company considers useful to assist the Commission in the selection of the sample.

5. CERTIFICATION

By providing the above information, the company agrees to its possible inclusion in the sample. If the company is selected to be part of the sample, this will involve completing a questionnaire and accepting a visit at its premises in order to verify its response. If the company indicates that it does not agree to its possible inclusion in the sample, it will be deemed not to have cooperated in the investigation. The Commission’s findings for non-cooperating importers are based on the facts available and the result may be less favourable to that company than if it had cooperated.

Signature of authorised official:

Name and title of authorised official:

Date:

(1) In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person’s business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In this context ‘person’ means any natural or legal person.

In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 13.9.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 336/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

13.9.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 336/16

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Notification of a concentration

(Case M.7930 — ABP Group/Fane Valley Group/Slaney Foods)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 336/07)

| 1. | On 2 September 2016, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking(s) ABP Food Group (‘ABP’, Ireland) and Fane Valley Cooperative Society Limited (‘Fane Valley’, UK) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Slaney Foods Joint Venture (‘Slaney JV’, Ireland) and Slaney Proteins (Ireland) through a series of interrelated transactions, by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 2 September 2016, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking(s) ABP Food Group (‘ABP’, Ireland) and Fane Valley Cooperative Society Limited (‘Fane Valley’, UK) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Slaney Foods Joint Venture (‘Slaney JV’, Ireland) and Slaney Proteins (Ireland) through a series of interrelated transactions, by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | ABP is an agribusiness company. Its subsidiaries are active in meat processing, supplying a range of chilled, frozen and other meat products to retail, wholesale and foodservices markets worldwide. ABP is also active in petfood, renewable energy and proteins. |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

ABP is an agribusiness company. Its subsidiaries are active in meat processing, supplying a range of chilled, frozen and other meat products to retail, wholesale and foodservices markets worldwide. ABP is also active in petfood, renewable energy and proteins.

| — | Fane Valley is a farmer-owned cooperative active in a variety of agribusiness sectors. Its activities include the slaughter and processing of beef and lamb in Northern Ireland and the UK. |
| --- | --- |

—

Fane Valley is a farmer-owned cooperative active in a variety of agribusiness sectors. Its activities include the slaughter and processing of beef and lamb in Northern Ireland and the UK.

| — | The Slaney JV is currently a 50:50 JV between Fane Valley and Lanber Group (a non-affiliated, third-party company). The Slaney JV comprises Slaney Foods International (‘SFI’, its beef business, located in the Republic of Ireland) and Irish Country Meats (‘ICM’, the sheep/lamb meat business, with operating sites located in the Republic of Ireland and in Belgium). Slaney operates three meat-processing plants on the island of Ireland, one of which slaughters beef and two of which slaughter sheep/lamb. ICM also purchases lamb carcasses for further processing. |
| --- | --- |

—

The Slaney JV is currently a 50:50 JV between Fane Valley and Lanber Group (a non-affiliated, third-party company). The Slaney JV comprises Slaney Foods International (‘SFI’, its beef business, located in the Republic of Ireland) and Irish Country Meats (‘ICM’, the sheep/lamb meat business, with operating sites located in the Republic of Ireland and in Belgium). Slaney operates three meat-processing plants on the island of Ireland, one of which slaughters beef and two of which slaughter sheep/lamb. ICM also purchases lamb carcasses for further processing.

| — | Slaney Proteins operates a small Category 3 rendering facility which primarily processes Category 3 material generated by the Slaney JV. |
| --- | --- |

—

Slaney Proteins operates a small Category 3 rendering facility which primarily processes Category 3 material generated by the Slaney JV.

| 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. |
| --- | --- |

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.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7930 — ABP Group/Fane Valley Group/Slaney Foods, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7930 — ABP Group/Fane Valley Group/Slaney Foods, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

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