European Union antitrust authorities have sent charges to makers of phosphates used in animal feed for operating a potential cartel, an EU spokesman said Friday.

European Commission antitrust spokesman Jonathan Todd confirmed the investigation but declined to name the companies under scrutiny or comment further.

Belgian chemicals firm Tessenderlo Chemie NV (TESB.BT), a major producer of phosphates used in animal feed, said it was aware of the investigation but declined further comment.

And Norwegian chemical and fertilizer firm Yara International ASA (YAR.OS), which acquired the phosphates business of Finnish chemicals firm Kemira in 2007, said it is cooperating with the commission's investigation.

"We have been fully cooperating with the EU, and we are now awaiting the conclusions," a Yara spokesman said Friday.

-By Matthew Dalton, Dow Jones Newswires; +32 2 741 1487; matthew.dalton@dowjones.com
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