Van Hollen Sues To Challenge Dean-Foremost Plant Acquisition

MADISON - Today Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced that he has joined the U.S. Department of Justice and the Attorneys General of Illinois and Michigan in suing to challenge the acquisition of two Wisconsin milk plants by Dean Foods.

"Given the importance of dairy to our state, it is vital that consumers have choices when it comes to their milk purchases and that farmers have options when selling their milk to processors," Attorney General Van Hollen said today.  "We must ensure that competition continues in our agricultural markets."

The complaint has been filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Wisconsin against Dean Foods.  The plants that are subject to the acquisition are located in Waukesha and DePere, Wisconsin.  The complaint alleges that the transaction will lessen competition in the fluid and school milk markets in violation of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. section 18.

Assistant Attorneys General Steven P. Means and Gwendolyn Cooley represent the State of Wisconsin in this matter.