Competition Authority Raids IFA Offices

Originally published May 2011

According to reports, at 10am on Friday 13 May, up to 15 officials from the Irish Competition Authority, accompanied by a Garda Detective, conducted a 'dawn-raid' on the Irish Farmers Association offices in Dublin.

The Competition Authority is empowered under the Competition Act 2002 to investigate alleged anti-competitive behaviour either as a result of a complaint or on an own-initiative basis. Pursuant to Section 45 of the Act, the Authority may enter "if necessary by force" the business premises and homes of directors, managers and/or members of staff to search and seize documentation relating to the alleged offences.

It is believed that the Authority's investigation centres around possible price fixing allegations. During the 'dawn-raid', which lasted until 4pm, the Authority members are reported to have reviewed, examined and removed files, computers, laptops, personal mobile phones and personal diaries of IFA personnel.