Heineken says expects European Commission fine tomorrow over beer cartel UPDATE |
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Tue, 17 Apr 2007 11:33
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(Updates with Grolsch comment)BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - Following news reports last night, Heineken NV said it is expecting to be issued with a fine from the European Commission tomorrow over alleged cartel activities.'Heineken is expecting a fine from the commission tomorrow,' Heineken spokeswoman Véronique Schyns confirmed.She said Heineken does not yet know the extent of the fine, adding that it is waiting for the EU executive's decision.The statement follows Belgian brewer InBev SA's refusal to comment on the matter.An InBev spokeswoman said: 'We won't comment on a pending file.'And unlike Heineken, fellow Dutch brewer Grolsch said it is not yet aware of any fine.'We were quite surprised to hear yesterday from news in Dutch television that there will be an announcement tomorrow,' spokeswoman Annemiek Louwers said.The European Commission also declined to comment earlier today on reports from Dutch broadcaster RTLZ that the EU executive is preparing to announce fines imminently against Heineken, Royal Grolsch NV and InBev for their alleged participation in a cartel.A press officer in the EU competition department said: 'We cannot make any comment whatsoever.'RTLZ, citing unnamed sources, says that substantial fines are expected to be announced tomorrow, without giving further details.The commission launched an antitrust investigation in 2005 into the brewers for alleged cartel activities in 1995-99.If found guilty, the companies could face fines of up to 10 pct of their total annual turnover.nina.chestney@thomson.com, aaron.gray-block@thomson.comnc/lam/sz/agb/nc//nc/agb/jlcCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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Heineken says expects fine from European Commission tomorrow over beer cartel 