ANTITRUST SAYS VETERINARY ORDER PREPARED TO FOREGO MINIMUM TARIFFS AND ADVERTISING BAN
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
ANTITRUST SAYS VETERINARY ORDER PREPARED TO FOREGO MINIMUM TARIFFS AND ADVERTISING BAN
Presentation of commitments aimed at concluding investigation begun on 24 May 2006 into possible anti-competitive arrangement. The Authority's decision to be handed down by 28 February 2007
The Italian Competition Authority, at its meeting on 15 November 2006, decided to proceed with the assessment of the commitments presented by the Order of Veterinary Surgeons of the Province of Turin and by FNOVI, the Federazione Nazionale Ordini Veterinari Italiani (or National Federation of Italian Veterinary Orders) which are intended to permit the closure of the investigation launched on 24 May 2006 into a possible anti-competitive arrangement. Specifically, the Turin Order has undertaken to:
1) abrogate minimum scale fees by 30 November next and to allow its members to advertise the type and cost of the services they offer;
2) refrain from reintroducing minimum tariffs at a future date;
3) refrain from instituting disciplinary proceedings for violation of tariff rules or rules limiting the right to advertise (or to halt such proceedings if they have already been instituted).
The commitments presented by the National Order include the replacement by 1 December 2006 of all articles in the professional code of conduct so as to allow veterinary surgeons to advertise their academic qualifications and specializations, the characteristics of the service they offer, the fees they charge and the overall cost of their services. The Order has also undertaken to submit to the Authority the full text of the new professional code of conduct that is being drafted by a commission within the FNOVI, as well as any future revisions relating to matters touching on competition.
The commitments may be viewed as of today on the Authority's website. Any observations arising must be presented within the next 30 days.
By 28 February 2007, the Authority will determine whether the commitments are such as to correct the anti-competitive nature of the conduct being investigated: in such case, it will make them obligatory for the Orders and terminate the proceeding without ascertaining a contravention.
Rome, 20 November 2006