Plant Impact Regulatory News (PIM)

12 May 2008 06:00

Press release 12 May 2008 Plant Impact plc ("Plant Impact" or "the Company") Distribution agreement with DVA for pest control product in Tanzania Plant Impact plc (AIM:PIM), a global developer of technologies that improve crop productivity by combating the negative effects of environmental stress, today announces that it has signed an exclusive agreement with DVA Agro GmbH ("DVA"), a global crop protection business, to distribute the benign pest control product Bionic(TM)in Tanzania, East Africa. Bionic is the trademark of Plant Impact's unique insect control agent BugOil(R) and, in this application, will be targeted specifically at ornamental rose production in Tanzania. This is the first commercial agreement for Plant Impact's BugOil(R) technology and demonstrates the proven commercial benefits of its use. Plant Impact and DVA anticipate strong market acceptance of the Bionic(TM)product in Tanzania and beyond. East Africa produces more than £200 million worth of roses per year, requiring US$32 million per year in pesticides, or 6% of the global pesticide market for ornamentals (US$540 million per annum). Roses in Tanzania suffer from a pest known as spider mite, which can rapidly devastate rose crops by puncturing plant cells and causing leaf tissues to collapse. During severe infestations the plant may turn yellow and decay. Mite damage may also appear as shortened stem (internodes) and leafstalk (petioles), failure to bloom, and twisted or distorted new growth. BugOil-based Bionic(TM)is highly effective in controlling spider mite, as verified by independent trials conducted on roses. These trials were conducted to regulatory standard (Good Experimental Practice) and demonstrated that BugOil (R) showed 100% control of mites three days after application, whereas the control used in the trials achieved this level only 14 days after application; similar results were achieved on other pests such as whitefly, thrips and aphids. Moreover, BugOil(R) has the proven ability to control the insecticide-resistant populations of mites, making it a highly suitable product for the East African market. BugOil(R) is also safe for operators to apply and is benign to the environment as it leaves no harmful residues. The development of such a unique product as Bionic(TM)is an ideal fit with DVA's philosophy, as Dr Matthias Griesbach, Area Manager of DVA, says: "We are very excited about Bionic(TM)since it offers all the benefits of a modern crop protection product: excellent performance, reliability, as well as safety both to end-users and the environment. Bionic(TM)has been successfully tested in the strongly expanding rose industry in Tanzania and we are eager to introduce the product to our customers. Plant Impact's products and concepts have a promising future and we are very happy to contribute to the success of this particular product line." Pete Blezard, CEO of Plant Impact, says: "I am really pleased with how well Plant Impact and DVA have collaborated on the registration and commercialisation of Bionic(TM). This is the first commercial agreement for our BugOil(R) technology in a highly competitive, high-value specialty market that has global implications for the floricultural industry, especially in East Africa, Central America and the Netherlands." - Ends - For further information, please contact: Plant Impact plc Michael Panteli, Finance Director Tel: + 44 (0) 1772 333 873 mike@plantimpact.com www.plantimpact.com Grant Thornton Corporate Finance Nominated Adviser Philip Secrett/Colin Aaronson Tel: +44 (0) 20 7383 5100 philip.j.secrett@gtuk.com www.gtuk.com colin.p.aaronson@gtuk.com Hichens, Harrison & Co. Jeremy Chantry Tel: +44 (0) 20 7382 7791 Jeremy.chantry@hichens.com www.hichens.com Fiske plc James Harrison Tel: +44 (0) 20 7448 4700 james.harrison@fiskeplc.com www.fiskeplc.com Media enquiries: Abchurch Communications Limited Justin Heath / Monique Tsang Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7712 monique.tsang@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com About Plant Impact plc Plant Impact addresses the increasing global demand for effective, sustainable and ecologically-sound products to combat environmental plant stress and improve crop productivity. Common environmental plant stresses include drought, salinity, nutrient deficiencies, pests and disease. Plant Impact's advances produce practical results that reduce inputs and benefit the whole of the agricultural value chain, providing solutions for growers, food manufacturers and consumers. A broad product portfolio has been developed using these innovative and proprietary technologies, the most advanced of which are already being marketed and sold through established agricultural distribution networks. Products for the home and garden market are also distributed direct to consumers through reputable high street stores. Current Plant Impact technologies include: ·; Alethea(R) - resistance to climate, water and salt stress ·; CaT - reduction of physiological disorders ·; Speedo(TM)- accelerated plant growth ·; PiNT(TM)- higher yielding stronger plants ·; BugOil(R) - benign pest control For further information please visit www.plantimpact.com About DVA Agro GmbH DVA has been an active player in the crop protection business for more than 15 years. It offers a powerful global distribution network with exclusive access to some of the leading market participants and to the most important markets around the world. By expanding its portfolio of product registrations in numerous countries, it has achieved a position where it can conclude numerous medium- and long-term contracts worldwide. The company has a consolidated turnover of €100 million. It is based in Hamburg, Germany. ENDAGRUUUPPAUPRGAB