The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has approved Ingham’s Group and several chicken processors to cooperate as a means of minimising the impact of stage four restrictions in Victoria due to COVID-19.
Ingham’s, Turosi, Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm and representative body for the chicken meat industry, Australian Chicken Meat Federation, will work together on a variety measures – such as coordination of processing capacity, essential staff, facilities and products – to ensure sufficient supply of chickens and chicken meat, as well as reduce the extent of job losses.
ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said the commission recognised the heightened COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria are requiring many businesses and industries to make significant changes to their operations.
“Chicken is a staple of many consumers’ diets. This authorisation should assist the chicken meat sector to implement arrangements that maintain supply and minimise the risk of food shortages during the COVID-19 restrictions,” said Keogh.
“We will be carefully monitoring the conduct of chicken processors under this authorisation, and it is our expectation that any arrangements do not disadvantage chicken growers. This authorisation does not override any contractual obligations processors have with growers.”
Participants will be required to notify the ACCC about decisions under the authorisation as well as provide any information the commission requests “about conduct occurring under the authorisation”.
Participation in the conduct is voluntary and does not extend to agreements about the prices of goods, or services supplied or acquired by chicken processors.
The ACCC’s interim authorisation will remain in place until it has a final determination or revokes the authorisation, or until Ingham’s withdraws its application.
Ingham’s is seeking final authorisation until 31 December 2020.
Ingham's Group ranked in at #7 in the Top 100 Australia Food & Drink Companies 2019 report.
