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DOC Kaas fears unfair competition from Fage
DOC Kaas bv and the cooperative DOC Kaas have both objected to the arrival of the Greek yoghurt manufacturer Fage in Hoogeveen. They do so, unlike a slew of other objectors, mainly for economic reasons, it turns out.
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DOC Kaas is particularly concerned about distortion of competition, because Fage appears to have to meet less stringent energy and emission requirements than comparable companies, such as DOC itself. In addition, the cooperative believes that the establishment of another dairy company is not appropriate at a time when dairy farming and milk processing in the Netherlands have to shrink significantly and dairy farms have to be bought out. That doesn't rhyme, chairman Guus Mensink said in a letter to the Provincial Executive.
DOC Kaas (BV and cooperative) is the only company that has objected. Other objectors are local residents, Zwaluw Legal Advice in Wageningen (on behalf of MOB), Natuur en Milieu Drenthe and the Nature Conservation Watch.