OREANDA-NEWS. On 11th February 2010, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) will hear the case against the Prefecture of the Northern Administrative District of Moscow for the signs of violating Part 1 Article 15 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", as well as against the Prefecture of the North Administrative District of Moscow and "Vimm-Bill-Dann" OJSC for the signs of violating Article 16 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon petitions from other market participants and citizens residing in the Northerv Administrative District of Moscow.

Since 1st October 2009, the Northerm Administrative District of Moscow has been implementing the "Social programme for selling Vimm-Bill-Dann milk products in the District with minimum mark-ups for the Muscovites entitled to benefits".

In the advertising materials for the Programme as well as mass media "Vimm-Bill-Dann" OJSC is positioned as the major partner of the Prefecture for the Programme, which has helped increasing demand for the company's products.

"We support intention of the local authorities to make food products more readily available for low income residents. As the same time, investigating the case we must look if their actions violate the rules of fair competition as well as the rights of other market participants and consumers of milk products in the Northern District of Moscow", said Alexander Kinev, the Head of the FAS Russia's Anti-Cartel Department.