Benchmark Holdings PLC Development of disease-resistant shrimp
08 November 2017 - 6:00PM
RNS Non-Regulatory
TIDMBMK
Benchmark Holdings PLC
08 November 2017
Benchmark Holdings plc
("Benchmark", the "Company" or the "Group")
Development of disease-resistant shrimp for the Asian market
Benchmark, the aquaculture health, nutrition and breeding and
genetics business, is pleased to announce that it has developed
specific pathogen resistant ("SPR") shrimp to address issues facing
the Asian market, the largest and fastest growing market for
shrimp. The Company will soon commence field trials in the region
and will provide an update in due course. This is a breakthrough
development which, combined with our leading market position in the
industry, creates a very attractive growth opportunity for
Benchmark.
Asia produces more than 2.66m tonnes of vannamei shrimp, worth
around $13bn with the total value of the market growing by an
average 7 per cent per annum. Diseases, including White Spot (WSSV)
and AHPND (previously known as Early Mortality Syndrome - EMS),
have each resulted in losses valued at billions of dollars per year
for the global shrimp industry. The Asian shrimp industry alone
incurred a loss of $22.5bn from AHPND over the period 2009 to
2016.
Benchmark's SPR shrimp have proven resistance to major diseases
including White Spot, Taura (TSV), NHP (Necrotising
Hepatopancreatitis), IHHNV and vibriosis. Early indications also
suggest that our stocks are resistant to AHPND.
Benchmark's breakthrough is the result of over 20 years
experience in our breeding and genetics teams in Norway and
Colombia, state of the art breeding technologies and genomic
selection tools. It is a good example of the collaboration across
the Group. Combined with our leading market position in the Asian
shrimp market following the acquisition of INVE, this represents a
very attractive opportunity for the Company.
Malcolm Pye, Benchmark CEO, commented:
"Over a period of 20 years our teams in Colombia and Norway have
developed unique stock that are SPR resistant to a number of the
key shrimp diseases. We are now turning to the commercialisation
phase of this technology taking it into the major shrimp production
markets around the world. It's an example of where you can apply
modern technology to an industry challenged with major problems to
create a breakout moment and resolve some of the fundamental issues
that they are facing".
"We have been able to transfer the insights we learned from
salmon genetics to shrimp. Shrimp is ideal for a genetic breeding
program because of the size of the market, the short cycle and
their high reproductive capacity ".
- Ends -
For further information, please contact:
Benchmark Holdings plc Tel: 020 7920 3150
Malcolm Pye, CEO
Ivonne Cantu, Investor Relations and Corporate Development
Director
Rachel Aninakwah, Communications
Numis Tel: 020 7260 1000
Michael Meade / Freddie Barnfield (NOMAD)
James Black (Corporate Broking)
Tavistock Tel: 020 7920 3150
Sophie Praill
Notes to Editors:
Benchmark challenges the status quo in aquaculture.
Since 2000, Benchmark has consistently worked to build a
platform to serve its customers, helping food producers take
control of their biological environment through the combination of
genetics, nutrition, health and knowledge services. Through its
in-depth knowledge of animal biology Benchmark is able to tackle
the key issues facing producers primarily in the aquaculture
sector.
The Company has proven distribution capabilities in high growth
markets and operates internationally with R&D facilities,
commercial farms, diagnostic laboratories, manufacturing sites,
production facilities and commercial offices across 27 countries in
five continents. As at 30 September 2017, Benchmark employed 952
people.
For further information on Benchmark please visit
www.benchmarkplc.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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