Agrifood

The innovative agrifood sector presents excellent opportunities for national and international investors. Increasing numbers of non-European parties are getting involved in the Dutch agrifood sector.
Agrifood

Automation, robotics and biotechnology developments are contributing to improved efficiency in the sector, creating a demand for new strategies and changes to corporate structures. Houthoff’s comprehensive knowledge and vision of the sector are incomparable and facilitate these changes in a way that no one else can. As market leader, our multidisciplinary Agrifood Team represents national and international clients in virtually every link of the supply chain. The team’s work includes monitoring the increasingly intensive strategic partnerships developing between different supply chain parties.

Examples of our expertise within the agrifood sector

M&A transactions within the agrifood sector are often complex and require comprehensive legal assistance. Our Agrifood Team advises both investors and strategic partners from home and abroad on transactions on the Dutch market. We also assist Dutch companies on cross-border transactions by partnering with the best lawyers from our international Lex Mundi network. Innovative agriculture companies have benefited from the proper protection of their varieties and innovations via breeders’ rights, patents, and other intellectual property rights. Houthoff is one of the few firms that specialises in this field.

Agrifood producers often find themselves facing complex and wide-ranging requirements when it comes to aspects such as their production processes and putting their products on the market. This makes it vital for them to satisfy competition regulations and the conditions for market access, as well as acquire proper certification. Agrifood producers recognise our broad experience and expertise in these areas. They engage us to assess their contracts or proposed partnership structures, to find solutions for combating unfair trade practices or false competition, and to apply for such certifications as the MPS-Florimark Production label.

Recent
work

Represented Fortenova Group, the largest food producer and retailer in South-Eastern Europe with an annual turnover of EUR 5 billion and 47.500 employees, in the implementation of a comprehensive restructuring resulting from the presence of sanctioned debt and equity holders in its capital structure and cross-border litigation in connection therewith.

Advised Acture Group and IK Investment Partners on the sale of Acture Group, a leading provider of holistic employee welfare solutions, to Rivean Capital.

Represented Fortenova Group, the largest food producer and retailer in South-Eastern Europe with an annual turnover of EUR 5 billion and 47.500 employees, in the implementation of a comprehensive restructuring resulting from the presence of sanctioned debt and equity holders in its capital structure and cross-border litigation in connection therewith.

Advised Acture Group and IK Investment Partners on the sale of Acture Group, a leading provider of holistic employee welfare solutions, to Rivean Capital.

Our specialists know the agrifood sector inside and out, and use this knowledge to develop practical, thoroughly considered solutions. They combine their knowledge of subjects such as food safety, intellectual property law, competition law, agricultural law, and product liability law to formulate future-proof solutions that will help you now, and continue to help you in the future. Whenever necessary, Houthoff can rely on its excellent relationships with national and European authorities, such as the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets [Autoriteit Consument en Markt], the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority [Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit] (NVWA), Naktuinbouw, the Plant Varieties Board [Raad voor Plantenrassen], the Dutch Customs Administration [Nederlandse douane], industry organisations, the European Commission, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Thanks to these cooperative relationships and the Agrifood Team’s comprehensive knowledge of the sector, the solutions that Houthoff offers go the extra mile.

Publications

5 June 2024
5 June 2024
Nieuwe Commissierichtsnoeren inzake artikel 210 bis GMO. Nederlands tijdschrift voor Europees recht.
12 December 2022
12 December 2022
Sustainability agreements in the agricultural sector: applicable rules and examples. Houthoff.
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