Hendrix Genetics and Sofiprotéol Form a New Alliance in Animal Genetics and Life Sciences

Hendrix Genetics and Sofiprotéol have signed and completed an agreement in which: (a) Sofiprotéol acquired 12% of the outstanding share capital and related voting rights in Hendrix Genetics B.V. and becomes a long term strategic shareholder, (b) formed a strategic alliance in which the parties will focus on growth and consolidation opportunities in global animal breeding and life sciences and (c) Hendrix Genetics S.A.S. acquired France Hybrides S.A.S, a famous French swine genetics company, from Groupe Glon. It will be integrated in its swine genetics division Hypor.

Michel Boucly, Director Business Development at Sofiprotéol, who will join the Hendrix Genetics International Advisory Board, comments: “Once our discussions started it became clear that we share the same values and vision. Sofiprotéol is committed, as a long term strategic partner, to support Hendrix Genetics in its ambitions”.

Thijs Hendrix, président, says: “We are pleased and proud that Sofiprotéol joins our group as a long-term strategic investor. I am confident that together, we create a new platform with a new horizon in animal breeding and life sciences”.

Eric Philippe, CEO of Groupe Glon, adds: “We made the choice to become a partner of Hendrix Genetics in order to raise synergies from both companies in terms of technical and commercial expertise, in a market where players are now acting on a worldwide basis. In France, France Hybrides genetics and its breeds will still be distributed by Sanders. This partnership will provide benefit to our integrated pork industry and to our clients who will have access to high potential genetics, which includes the latest technologies”.

                                    Completion shareholders agreement Hendrix Genetics - Sofiprotéol,
                                   Amsterdam, 30 July 2008, 18.00 hrs. Left to right: Servé Hermans,
                                                                  Cyril Melin, Thijs Hendrix

                               Standing from the left to the right: Albert van Driel, HG Legal Counsel -
                               Michel Boucly, Sofiprotéol Director Business Development - Cyril Melin,
                                 Sofiprotéol Chargé d'Affaires - Antoon van den Berg, CEO Hendrix
                             Genetics - Sitting left to right: Thijs Hendrix, Président Hendrix Genetics,
                                         Philippe Tillous-Borde, Directeur Général Sofiprotéol

Sofiprotéol

Sofiprotéol is headquartered in Paris and was established in 1983, as the financial arm in France’s vegetable oil and plant-proteins sector. It supports the development and use of oilseed and protein-rich crops by providing appropriate financial and productive resources. Sofiprotéol is also strongly involved in plant genetics through strategic minority investments, both in seeds and biotechnologies. Since mid 2007 it is a 60% shareholder in Groupe Glon. Through it majority participations in oilseed crushing and transformations (Lesieur, Saipol, Diester Industrie) and in animal feed and health (Groupe Glon), Sofiprotéol realizes almost €5 billion in revenues, with more than 5,000 employees.

Hendrix Genetics B.V.

Hendrix Genetics is a global multi-species animal genetics company investing in technology, people and progress to deliver sustainable value to business partners, employees and society.

Hendrix Genetics has 4 divisions: Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA), the layer breeding division; Hybrid the turkey breeding division; Hypor the pig breeding division and SFPA (Société Française de Production Avicole), the poultry distribution division.

Hendrix Genetics has around 1000 employees with a further 500 working in joint ventures. This team combines 46 nationalities in subsidiaries and offices in 23 countries around the world.

Groupe Glon

Groupe Glon is headquartered in Pontivy, Brittany. Its activities are animal nutrition, agricultural supplies, genetics and animal health, food industry, services and expertise, with 3,450 employees and revenues (2007) of € 1,460M. It is owned by Glon Family (35%), Management (5%) and Sofiprotéol (60%).