Brussels, 02/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 31 March, the European Commission confirmed it had carried out surprise inspections on 24 and 25 March at the premises of companies active in the North Sea shrimps and related products industry in several member states. The inspections were carried out as part of an investigation into suspected anti-competitive practices concerning North Sea shrimps, a practice that is banned in EU rules (Article 81 of the EC Treaty). Community inspectors were accompanied by national competition authority inspectors from the countries concerned. At this stage in the inquiry, the Commission refuses to give the names of the companies targeted. Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step to inquiries into suspected anticompetitive practice but in no way prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The Commission respects the rights of defence, in particular the rights of companies to be heard in the Commission's proceedings against them. The Commission points out there is no strict deadline for completing inquiries into anticompetitive conduct. (L.C./transl.jl)