New Contract

Genus PLC
19 February 2001


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                         19 February 2001



                                  GENUS PLC

Wins £20 Million Contract


The consulting division of Genus plc which provides information, consulting
advice and solutions to all levels of the agricultural and food industry as
well as to national and international policy makers, today announces that it
has been awarded a major contract by the UK Government's Department of
International Development (DFID).


The £20 million contract will work in assisting the Government of Nigeria in a
comprehensive programme to build capacity and strengthen local government.
Following the election of a democratic government in 1999 this Programme is an
important component of an ongoing initiative by the British Government aimed
at improving accountability and encouraging good governance.  Many of the
activities undertaken by Genus Consulting will sharpen existing programmes,
looking at ways of tackling poverty reduction and improving livelihoods,
especially in rural areas. Additionally the Programme will assist with the
development of systems, which measure the progress and impact of government
initiatives.



The Programme, which will run until 2007, will support the Government of
Nigeria in:



*       creating opportunities for open, accountable, and responsive
        government at both state and local government areas in four states;

*       improving the performance of public service at these levels;

*       setting priorities for resource use and the management of these
        resources in an efficient and sustainable way;

*       creating monitoring and evaluation systems for application by local
        staff;

*       the dissemination of any lessons to other states, to Federal
        government and to other donors.


Richard Wood, Chief Executive of Genus plc, commenting on the contract win,
commented:



'A contract win of this size is hugely exciting for the Genus Group.  We look
forward to working with both the Government of Nigeria and the Dept. of
International Development over the next six years - we are particularly
excited about the challenges that lie ahead and the impact we hope to make on
the State of Nigeria.



                                -        END -



For further information, please contact :


Genus
Richard Wood, Chief Executive                         Tel:  [phone]
John Berry, Consulting Division                       Tel: [phone]


Buchanan Communications
Charles Ryland / Nicola How                           Tel:  [phone]



Notes to Editors:

Genus is a leader of technology and service in cattle breeding, agricultural
consulting and the distribution of products in the veterinary market.   In
July 2000 Genus moved from the OFEX Exchange of the London Stock Exchange to
the Alternative Investment Market and is now established as a visionary
international company trading in over 70 countries with three substantial
complementary divisions:



  * Genus Breeding: Genus Breeding is the global market leader in cattle
    breeding. It's cutting edge technology is being used to improve the
    quality of beef and dairy herds worldwide.



  * Genus Consulting: Genus Consulting offers services to the complete food
    chain. It provides information, consulting advice and solutions to
    farmers, growers, food manufacturers, agri-business and national and
    international policy makers.



  * Genus Distribution:  Genus Distribution is a wholesale distributor of
    veterinary products, generic human pharmaceuticals and dental consumables.
    It also markets branded products for the small animal sector.