Myrray Goulburn's chase of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter has ended for now.

The Chairman, Grant Davies said yesterday that its submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had been withdrawn.

Murray Goulburn has recommended the ACCC that it does not desire to go ahead with the projected unification at this time and has withdrawn its application for authorization to the ACCC, Mr. Davies said in a letter to shareholders.

But he told in a meeting in Koroit yesterday that the hunt was not over.

Mr. Davies told the spectators at the co-operatives sixtieth birthday celebration at Koroit football clubrooms that the company still believes it is the best way to go further for the industry and suppliers.

The withdrawal of the ACCC tender came two days prior when the body was to hand down its decision. It had signaled in a provisional report that the contract was doubtful to be approved since it would considerably reduce competition for milk supply in the area.

Mr. Davies said the Murray Goulburn panel still thought that a merger would deliver significant and sustainable benefits to farmers and a sturdy Australian industry.

WCB vigorously showed opposition to the merger, and greeted the new decision of Murray.