Brussels, 04/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the acquisition of the Dutch slaughterhouse group Dumeco by its compatriot Best Agrifund. The latter is active in the production and trade of meat and meat products, agricultural products and processed consumer goods in Germany. Best Agrifund is also active on the Dutch and Belgian markets for industrial processing of abattoir by-products and carcasses and the production of gelatine. Dumeco is active in the Netherlands in the trade of live stock, production and sale of breeding materials, the slaughter of pigs and cattle and the processing, production and sale of meat products. The Commission investigated whether this deal would hinder competition in any of these sectors. It made a detailed probe into whether Best Agrifund, which collects all these by-products from slaughterhouses, for processing, sale or destruction., would favour the Dumeco slaughterhouse over its competitors. It concluded that the latter's market share would not significantly increase nor would the position of other slaughterhouses be significantly affected.