Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 8th March 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Countrywide Farmers calls in administrators
The Competition and Markets Authority did not approve the sale owing to concerns it could push up prices or lower quality.

Proposed sale to Mole Valley Farmers fails to get approval 

One of the UK’s leading suppliers to the rural community, Countrywide Farmers, has gone into administration after the proposed sale of its retail business fell through.

The company had been reviewing its options over the past year and agreed the sale of its retail division, which comprises 48 outlets, to Mole Valley Farmers in October last year.

Administrators have now been called in to decide the future of the business, however, after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) did not approve the sale, owing to concerns that it could push up prices or lower quality in 45 local areas.

The CMA referred the merger for a ‘phase two’ investigation, a process that Countrywide said could take up to six months. As a result of the extended time period, the company concluded that it would be unable to meet its financial obligations.

Countrywide commented in a statement: ‘Following their appointment, the administrators will determine the appropriate course of action and future for the business. It is with significant regret that the Countrywide Retail business which trades from 48 stores and employs over 700 staff will now face a very uncertain future.’

The company has appointed David Pike, Mark Orton and William Wright, partners of KPMG LLP, to act as administrators for the company.

Meanwhile the sale of Countrywide’s LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) business to DDC Plc completed on 1 March, for a sum of £28.75 million.

Mr Pike is quoted by Farmers Guardian as saying: “Following the recent CMA announcement, the proposed retail transaction cannot proceed. Unfortunately, given the significant trading difficulties and cash flow pressures, this has led the directors to consider their options and take the difficult decision to place the company into administration.
 
“It is our intention to seek a purchaser for the business in whole or part and we have appointed Hilco Capital to assist in running the stores whilst we explore and develop available options. We encourage anyone who has an interest to contact us immediately.”

Image by Cwfonline/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.