Animalcare Grp Regulatory News (ANCR)

Animalcare Group plc

("Animalcare")

AGM Statement

Animalcare (AIM: ANCR), a leading supplier of veterinary medicines, will hold its Annual General Meeting at its head office, 10 Great North Way, York Business Park, York YO26 6RB at 11.30am today.

Ahead of the formal proceedings, Chairman James Lambert will provide the following update to shareholders:

"The Board is pleased to announce that trading in the first four months of the financial year is ahead of prior year and in line with management expectations.

Our investment in the infrastructure of the business is starting to deliver returns, including positive results from key account management and our new telesales team. Our product development pipeline is progressing well against internal project management milestones.

We announced on 15th October 2014, that the Board has proposed the payment of an increased final dividend of 4.0 pence per share, giving a total dividend for the year of 5.5 pence per share, representing a 3.8% increase on the prior year. Formal approval will be sought at the AGM today.

Together with my fellow Board members, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued shareholders and stakeholders. The management of Animalcare has worked hard to build a solid foundation for the business, on which to deliver a step change in product development and sustained growth in the years to come. As a Board we remain confident that we are on track to deliver results for the full year in line with market expectations."

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Notes to editors

Animalcare is a leading veterinary sales and marketing company based in York with 57 employees including a field sales force of 16 selling to all veterinary practices around the United Kingdom.

Animalcare has developed a range of generic veterinary medicines and animal identification products primarily to companion animal veterinary markets.  

Animalcare operates in three product areas:

· Licensed Veterinary Medicines - a range of branded veterinary licensed pharmaceuticals sold to veterinary professionals in the UK and selected markets in Northern Europe. The range can be divided into four main categories; antibacterials, anaesthetics and analgesics, Aqupharm intravenous fluids and vitamins & speciality pharmaceuticals.

· Companion Animal Identification - Identichip is the pioneering microchip identification system in the UK. Animalcare also owns and operates the Anibase database; together the market leader in electronic identification for pets in the UK.

· Animal Welfare Products - a range used by veterinary professionals in the diagnosis and care of their patients, for example intravenous infusion accessories, ophthalmic instruments, hygiene solutions and bandages and dressings.