Slovenia: The fears of global brewing giant Interbrew that the stake held by the country's largest brewer Pivovarna Lasko in rival Pivovarna Union could lead to a local monopoly have been dismissed by the Slovenian competition authority. Interbrew owns a 41% stake in Pivovarna Union. The Belgian brewing force is afraid that Pivovarna Lasko may take a majority control of the smaller brewer and that would give it a 90% stake in the market. Meanwhile the country's competition authority said in a statement: "There is no concentration (monopoly) as Pivovarna Lasko has not reached the threshold of shares that would represent a more than 50 % stake in Pivovarna Union's capital."

However, the Office for Protection of Competition also told Pivovarna Lasko that it would have to meet certain criteria if a takeover now ensued, including giving up the Union brand for at least a period. Interbrew though has said it will appeal the ruling, claiming that the 90% potential share would violate EU rules, which Slovenia hopes to join next year. The company has also claimed that the director of the competition office, Andrej Plahutnik, was biased in favour of Pivovarna Lasko. This accusation has already been rejected by Slovenia's economics minister Tea Petrin. But Interbrew said it would also be seeking to appeal that decision.

17 July, 2003