The Paris Court of Appeal has quashed the conviction of endive producers to €3.6 million fine for fixing prices.
''The Authority's decision was voluntarily severe because the idea was to end treating the agricultural sector as an exception in competition law. But the Court confirmed that their is an agricultural exception, there is a limit - knowing not to fix prices - but the professional organisations did not overstep their price regulation mission'' says Mr Pierre Morrier, lawyer for the national producer's organisation.
The Competition Authority has not yet decided whether they will file an appeal, ''we first have to study this decision in detail'' explains a spokesperson for the Authority.
In March 2012, The Competition Authority condemned 10 groups of endive producers to a €3.6 million fine for fixing prices with a minimum sales price over 14 years. The endive is France's 4th most purchased vegetable. This penalty was also aimed at the sector's organisations and unions who were fined €320,000 for fixing prices. Three months later, the Court of Appeal suspended the financial sanctions to avoid threatening the livelihood of producers.
