Brussels, 15/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has authorised Masterfoods, French subsidiary of the American group Mars Inc, to purchase the French firm Royal Canin. The operation is said to have presented, as initially planned, major problems of competition on the pet food market. This is why Mars undertook to rid itself of businesses linked to five brands: Advance, Premium, Royal Chien, Playdog and Brekkies. EUROPE will return to this.