The Competition Tribunal on Monday dismissed efforts by two milk producers to have a complaint of anti-competitive behaviour against them withdrawn.
Public hearings into alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the milk industry, involving eight major producers, are scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 10.
Two of the eight, Clover and Ladismith Cheese, had approached the tribunal contending that the Competition Commission's complaint referral about anti-competitive behaviour be withdrawn, said tribunal spokeswoman Jane Sussens in a statement.
Clover had tried to argue the commission's complaints had "procedural defects" and were unfair.
The commission was alleging that eight milk producers, Clover Industries, Clover SA, Parmalat, Ladismith Cheese, Woodlands Dairy, Lancewood, Nestle and Milkwood Dairy, contravened sections of the Competition Act.
They allegedly fixed prices and market conditions and agreed on controlling milk supply.
Source: Sapa
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