Proposed Acquisition

Genus PLC 19 May 2004 For Immediate Release 19th May 2004 GENUS plc PROPOSED ACQUISITION Genus plc, the World leading Bovine Genetics Company, announces that agreement in principle has been reached to acquire the business, assets and certain liabilities of Supersires Ltd. The acquisition is subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence, contract and approval from the Office of Fair Trading. Supersires distributes semen and provides artificial insemination services to cattle farmers in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. In the year ended 31st March 2004 it had a turnover of £1.9m. Supersires distributes bull semen principally supplied from French and German co-operatives. Commenting, Richard Wood, Chief Executive of Genus, said: 'The acquisition of Supersires is important for Genus as it provides an increase in presence in the cow dense South West of England and considerable synergy potential from product substitution'. Contact: Richard Wood, Chief Executive, Genus plc 01256 347101 David Timmins, Group Finance Director, Genus plc 01256 347102 Charles Ryland/Catherine Miles, Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange