OFT opens consultation on CAMRA'S beer tie

8th February 2010, 8:51am

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced that it will be opening a six-week consultation on its response to the complaint regarding the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) 'beer tie'.

In October the OFT announced that it had found no evidence that beer supply ties are resulting in competition problems that are having an adverse impact on consumers, and that it would therefore be taking no further action.

The OFT believes it has a firm basis to defend the appeal. The OFT has decided that it would be a more constructive use of resources to allow CAMRA and any other interested persons or groups the opportunity to make representations about the findings it reached in its response to the super-complaint.

The OFT will carefully consider any further representations and evidence received during the course of the consultation process and then decide how to proceed before publishing its final views.

Mike Benner, CAMRA chief executive, said: "We are delighted that the OFT has responded to our appeal by agreeing to conduct an open consultation and I encourage all parties to use this opportunity to submit further evidence of anti-competitive practice. The consultation will lead to a new and final decision from the OFT.

"We are hopeful that on re-examination of the pubs market the OFT will decide to act against anti-competitive behaviour in order to deliver a fair deal for consumers. CAMRA looks forward to working with the OFT to deliver reform of the beer tie so that the pub market works in the interests of consumers."

Written views on the OFT's response to the super-complaint, should be submitted by 5pm on 24 March 2010 to:
CAMRA Super-complaint Team
Office of Fair Trading
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX
or email CAMRAsuper-complaint@oft.gsi.gov.uk

Related Articles:

• 07 Jul 2010 - Thornbridge to launch brewery bar at Great British Beer Festival
• 17 Feb 2010 - Sheffield pub judged 'Best in Britain'
• 22 Oct 2009 - Office of Fair Trading gives beer ties the all-clear
• 24 Jul 2009 - Beer ties and the Office of Fair Trading
• 24 Jul 2009 - 'Super-Complaint' prompts OFT probe into pub market
• 20 May 2009 - Unite and Fair Pint team up

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