The takeover of Ipswich-based animal feed firm BOCM PAULS has been given the green light by the authorities.

ForFarmers, which operates mainly in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, is set to become the largest feed firm in Europe, after striking a deal to acquire BOCM back in March which will now give it a foothold in the UK.

The European Competition Authority and the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority have now approved the acquisition by ForFarmer.

After the sale, ForFarmers will have a turnover of 6.6billion euros, employ 2,500 staff and produce 8.8 million of tonnes of feed, of which 6.5 million tonnes is compound feed and 2.3 million tonnes is straights and co-products.

Iain Gardner, who is currently BOCM PAULS’ chief operating officer, will take responsibility for the operational management of BOCM PAULS as chief executive. He will also join the ForFarmers Group board.

Bill Mayne and James Powell will remain with the business as chairman and finance director and continue to contribute their knowledge and expertise as members of the Agricola board.

ForFarmers Group plans to exploit economies of scale, but says BOCM PAULS will continue to operate “in the same successful way as it has done in the past”.

The group’s focus will be on maximising its contribution to farm yields and returns, through maximising efficiency and using its knowledge and technical expertise.

ForFarmers aims to be one of the best and biggest customer-oriented suppliers of farm animal feed in Europe, and says the takeover “fits in with its basic strategy of becoming better by growing”.

The transfer of shares will take place on Wednesday, July 11, at which point BOCM PAULS will form part of the ForFarmers Group. ForFarmers Group Works Council has already given the go-ahead to the deal.

Formed in 1992 following the merger of BOCM Silcock and Pauls Agriculture, BOCM PAULS is the United Kingdom’s leading animal feed company, manufacturing, selling and distributing over two million tonnes of animal feed per year. Headquartered in Ipswich, it employs 1,000 staff across its 18 locations.