CMA Releases Animal Waste Undertakings for SARIA, William Forrest

• The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) released animal waste undertakings on November 4, 2026.
• These undertakings, imposed on SARIA (formerly Prosper de Mulder) and William Forrest and Son (which was dissolved in 2024), are no longer in force.
• They previously mandated price transparency for various grades of animal waste.
• The requirements included publishing prices and charges in the Meat Trades Journal, which ceased publication in 2018.
• The original undertakings were issued under the monopoly provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973, a legal framework whose monopoly provisions have since been replaced by the Enterprise Act 2002.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially released the animal waste undertakings previously imposed on SARIA (formerly Prosper de Mulder) and William Forrest and Son (which was dissolved in 2024), marking an end to specific regulatory requirements for price transparency in the sector.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially released the animal waste undertakings previously imposed on SARIA (formerly Prosper de Mulder) and William Forrest and Son (which was dissolved in 2024), marking an end to specific regulatory requirements for price transparency in the sector. This decision, finalized on November 4, 2026, means the obligations are no longer in effect and have been removed from the official register of remedies.

The undertakings, which had been in place for an unspecified period, mandated that both SARIA (formerly Prosper de Mulder) and the now-dissolved William Forrest and Son provide clear price information to their customers. The CMA's review concluded with the formal release of these requirements in 2026, signifying a change in the regulatory landscape for these key players in the animal waste industry.

These now-released CMA animal waste undertakings originated under the monopoly provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973, a legal framework whose monopoly provisions have since been replaced by the Enterprise Act 2002. This original framework allowed the authority to impose conditions aimed at addressing market dominance or ensuring fair competition within specific sectors. The specific requirements placed upon SARIA (formerly Prosper de Mulder) and William Forrest and Son (which was dissolved in 2024) were designed to enhance transparency regarding their pricing structures.

Specifically, the undertakings compelled both companies to publish detailed information in the Meat Trades Journal, which ceased publication in 2018. This included the prices they paid to abattoirs for various grades of animal waste, as well as any charges levied for the collection of such waste. The full documentation pertaining to the inquiry that led to these undertakings remains accessible through The National Archives website, providing a historical record of the UK competition law animal waste sector's regulatory oversight.

The formal release of the SARIA (formerly Prosper de Mulder) undertakings and the undertakings relating to William Forrest and Son (which was dissolved in 2024) by the CMA has significant implications for the animal waste sector. With these regulatory obligations no longer in force, the companies are no longer bound by the specific price transparency requirements that previously dictated their public reporting in the now-defunct Meat Trades Journal.

This development, following the CMA undertakings review, alters the operational and competitive environment for these firms and potentially for other participants in the animal waste market. The removal from the register of remedies in force indicates a complete cessation of these particular oversight measures, allowing the companies greater discretion in how they manage and communicate their pricing policies.

Lawyers advising Prosper de Mulder, William Forrest and Son, or their competitors in the animal waste sector should note that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) undertakings requiring price transparency, imposed under the Fair Trading Act 1973, are no longer in force. This removes previous regulatory obligations for these companies regarding price publication in the Meat Trades Journal.

Source: Original reporting via GOV.UK