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A Veterinary Misdiagnosis: Analysing the Decision of Ireland’s CCPC in the IVC Evidensia/Old Church Vets Merger

Author

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  • Massey, Patrick

Abstract

This paper analyses the decision of Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in relation to a merger between two veterinary practice groups. Several aspects of the CCPC’s analysis in the case are highly unsatisfactory. Based on the information contained in the CCPC Determination, there is a relative high probability that the CCPC decision constitutes a Type II (false positive) error, i.e. the CCPC failed to identify a potentially anti-competitive merger. The CCPC decision in this case adds to list of cases involving potential Type I and Type II errors, raising serious questions about the quality of the CCPC’s merger analysis and internal quality control procedures. It also suggests that lessons have not been learned from previous cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Massey, Patrick, 2026. "A Veterinary Misdiagnosis: Analysing the Decision of Ireland’s CCPC in the IVC Evidensia/Old Church Vets Merger," MPRA Paper 129081, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:129081
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/129081/1/MPRA_paper_129081.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gorecki, Paul, 2025. "Better Merger Outcomes Due to Increased Scrutiny by Ireland’s NCA? the Q-Park/Tazbell Transaction," MPRA Paper 127352, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Carl Shapiro, 2024. "Evolution of the Merger Guidelines: Is This Fox Too Clever by Half?," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 65(1), pages 147-175, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General

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