The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has dismissed the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) complaint against the use of 'beer ties' in the UK pub industry.

CAMRA submitted a super-complaint to the competition regulator in July 2009 over concerns that pub groups were forcing up beer prices through tied supply agreements with landlords. The consumer group also alleged that the beer tie arrangements were responsible for a number of pub closures, and called on the OFT to take further action against operators.

However, the OFT ruled that the UK sector is "competitive overall" and that consumers had not been "adversely impacted" by issues facing the industry. OFT senior director of goods Ann Pope said: "After carrying out detailed analysis, we have found that the sector is competitive overall and that there is no need for the OFT to take further action at the moment."

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the decision. Chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "We would hope this would help draw a line under many issues and enable the industry to move forward." However, CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said: "CAMRA's initial reaction to the OFT's decision is that it is based on a blinkered and selective consideration of the evidence.

"The OFT has squandered an opportunity to support a process of industry self regulation to improve competition and benefit consumers."