The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against the Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) and five other parties, alleging that collective attempted to induce egg producing members of AECL into reducing the supply of eggs in Australia.
The additional parties were Mr James Kellaway, the managing director of AECL; two egg producing companies, Twelve Oaks Poultry and Farm Pride; and two directors of AECL that had current or former positions with the egg producers.
The ACCC alleges that AECL and the other corporate and individual respondents attempted to induce egg producers who were members of AECL to enter into an arrangement to cull hens or otherwise dispose of eggs, for the purpose of reducing the amount of eggs available for supply to consumers and businesses in Australia. It is not alleged that this attempt to make a cartel arrangement involving Australian egg producers was successful.
AECL is an industry corporation that collects levies for promotional activities and research and development activities from member egg producers. At the relevant time, AECL had between 100 and 150 egg producer members.
The ACCC alleges that from November 2010, in AECL member publications, the AECL board (which included Mr Kellaway, Mr Ironside and Mr Lendich) encouraged its members to reduce egg production, in order to avoid oversupply which would affect egg prices.
It is also alleged that, in February 2012, AECL held an ‘Egg Oversupply Crisis Meeting’ attended by egg producers in Sydney, where it allegedly sought a coordinated approach by egg producers to reducing the supply of eggs, in response to a perceived oversupply of eggs. Mr Kellaway and Mr Lendich both attended and spoke at this meeting, which was chaired by Mr Ironside.
“Retail egg sales, one of many sales channels, were valued at over $566 million in 2012 and eggs are a staple food product for Australian consumers. Indeed, egg consumption per capita has increased in the past 10 years leading to an increase in the demand for producers’ eggs. The ACCC is concerned that the alleged attempt sought to obtain agreement by egg producers to reduce supply, which if successful could have impacted on egg prices paid by consumers,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
“Detecting, stopping and deterring cartels operating in Australian markets remain an enduring priority for the ACCC, because of the ultimate impact of such anti-competitive conduct on Australian consumers who will pay more than they should for goods.”
“Industry associations need to be conscious of competition compliance issues when they bring competing firms together. Today’s action sends a clear message that attempts by industry associations to coordinate anti-competitive behaviour by competitors will not be tolerated,” Mr Sims said.
The ACCC is seeking declarations, injunctions, pecuniary penalties, orders that AECL, Farm Pride and Twelve Oaks establish and maintain a compliance program and that Mr Kellaway, Mr Ironside and Mr Lendich attend compliance training, an adverse publicity order and a community service order against AECL, disqualification orders against Mr Kellaway, Mr Ironside and Mr Lendich, and costs.
Photo Credit: Will Merydith (cc)