Brussels, 15/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - After having noted the observations made by parties interested, the European Commission approved the distribution agreements signed between Belgian brewery Interbrew, on one hand, and the HORECA sector (cafés, restaurants and hotels) on the other, on Belgian territory. Before giving its clearance, the Commission nonetheless called on Interbrew to introduce changes in order to give Interbrew's competitors access to Horeca establishments bound by these contracts. The amended agreements will thus allow the Belgian Horeca outlets that have signed "loan agreements" and those that have signed a lease or sublease agreement with Interbrew, to significantly increase commercial freedom to carry beers not supplied by Interbrew. A loan agreement, whose validity is generally limited to five years, is an agreement whereby Interbrew supplies a loan to independent Horeca establishments, or a bank guarantee or equipment of value such as refrigerating installations. Currently, over 7000 outlets have so far been tied to Interbrew under a loan agreement with the latter being their exclusive supplier. Henceforth, outlets will not be tied to Interbrew by exclusive purchase obligation for pils draught beers (lager "Stella", "Jupiler" and "Safir"). Only in the unlikely event that Interbrew's draught pils would account for less than 50% of the outlet's total beer throughput, the outlet has to ensure that it purchases the shortfall also from Interbrew's portfolio of brands. In all other cases, outlets may buy from Interbrew rivals any beer other than pils beers and any beer (including pils) in bottles or cans. Furthermore, outlets may now cancel their exclusive purchasing agreement more easily, namely at any date before the normal deadline (five years maximum), on condition that they give Interbrew three months notice. In this case, outlets or the rival brewery from which they will procure supplies in the future should reimburse the remaining capital on the loan or the residual value of the equipment or give the equipment back. In case they have to repay the outstanding capital of the loan, they do not have to pay the usual penalty the lender is normally entitled to claim from them for early repayment. The exclusive purchase obligation of the more than 3000 other outlets which operators lease or sublease from Interbrew will be limited to draught beer. Rival brewers will thus have the possibility of selling their bottled or canned bears, including pils, to these outlets. The operator of an outlet will also be allowed to sell a brand of draught beer, other than pils, brewed by a rival. Furthermore, leasees will have the right to serve one draught beer other than pils as "guest beer". Interbrew will be obliged to accept a draught beer as "guest beer" even if it brews this type of beer (e.g. white beer, amber beer) itself. The Commission considers that these amended agreements will no longer entail restriction of competition. Interbrew is the leading Belgian brewer and the second largest at world level. It holds a market share of around 50% of the Horeca sector in Belgium. Commissioner Monti welcomed the positive outcome of the negotiations conducted with Interbrew. "Consumers will now have additional choice of beer brands in more than 10,000 outlets which have so far been exclusively supplied by Interbrew. In view of Interbrew's strong position, I expect that this will bring an extra dynamic to the Belgian beer market", he said.