The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has refused to reduce or scrap a EUR270,000 (US$316,485) fine ordered by the European Commission against Belgian brewer Brouwerij Haacht, of Boortmeerbeek, for participating in a beer cartel with Alken-Maes, Interbrew and Martens.
Brouwerij Haacht claimed that the Commission had overestimated its importance within the Belgian beer market, and hence the damage on competition it could wreak as a cartel member.
It also argued that the Commission broke its own cartel-control procedures in its assessment of Haacht's case and treated the brewery unfairly.
The Court however, dismissed these arguments and the appeal, telling the brewery to pay the case's costs.
Sectors: Beer & cider
Companies: Anheuser-Busch InBev
