Pre-Close Trading Update

Genus PLC
18 July 2007



For Immediate Release                                             18 July 2007



                                   Genus Plc


                            Pre-Close Trading Update


Genus Plc, the world's leading animal genetics company today issued an update on
trading for the year to 30 June 2007.


Group Performance


As predicted in the half-year statement, market conditions continue to be
favourable and as a result, underlying trading, as upgraded at the half year,
has been in line with expectations across all business sectors. In addition, the
company continues to make cost savings in line with its previous revised
estimates. This improvement was, however, more than offset by a larger than
expected foreign exchange impact and one-off administration fees associated with
the residual Dalgety Pension Scheme.


In North America, the dairy industry benefited from an upturn in the milk cycle
while the pig market was stable despite higher feed prices. Trading conditions
started to improve in Australia, following the drought experienced during the
first half year. We increased our market share in the bovine business in our two
largest markets, the UK and the USA and prices remained stable.


Pig meat prices across Asia recovered strongly due to shortages in supply but
remained low in Europe. Milk prices fell across Europe although they remained
above average world prices. In May, we saw the first increase in the European
milk price since 2001.


We made further reorganisational changes in the European pig business that added
to the profit improvement reported in the first half. We also completed the sale
of the French nucleus herd that will deliver savings in this new financial year.


Both the US and Canadian dollars weakened further during the second half to
create an approximately £3m exchange impact on our results for the year compared
with our previous estimate of £2m.


We have made progress with the divestment of the non-core businesses of Animal
Health and Development Consulting that we expect will both be sold during the
first half of the new financial year. We are reviewing strategic options for the
remaining shrimp business in Mexico that has been turned around and is currently
profitable.





Move from AIM to Official List


As previously announced, the Company intends to move its listing from AIM to the
Official List following the publication of the preliminary results. We are aware
that a number of small shareholders hold Genus stock for Inheritance Tax
purposes and we intend to offer these investors an opportunity to exit from
their investment at minimum cost, should they so wish. This will be accomplished
by offering a low cost dealing facility with buyback and placing, as previously
offered, which will occur following the preliminary results announcement. In
parallel, we will be asking our brokers to help manage the transition for larger
IHT motivated shareholders.


2006/07 Pro Forma Results


Last year, Genus changed its financial year-end to 30 June. As a result, the
comparative information to be included in the 2007 Annual Report and Financial
Statements will be for the fifteen month period to 30 June 2006. To assist with
analysis and comparison, summary unaudited pro forma results for the twelve
months to 30 June 2006 are provided below:



              £m                15 months to   Pro Forma     Unaudited
                                                            proforma 12
                                30 June 2006* Restatement*    months
                                                            to 30 June 2006

Group Revenue                       201.2         35.5         236.7
Adjusted Operating Profit           19.8          5.5          25.3
Net Finance costs                   (6.7)        (2.2)         (8.9)
Adjusted PBT                        13.1          3.3          16.4
Basic EPS                           17.2p        (0.8p)        16.4p
Basic adjusted EPS               
(continuing operations)             19.7p         0.9p         20.6p


* The proforma results include a full year for Sygen, whereas the 15 months to
30 June 2006 only included the seven month period post acquisition.


Further proforma information by geography and species will be provided with the
preliminary results announcement.


Future Announcements


Genus will announce its Preliminary Results on 18 September 2007.


Commenting on the performance of the company, Richard Wood, Chief Executive
said: 'We have achieved the strong trading progress we forecast in generally
firm markets. Underlying trading was in line with expectations, as upgraded at
the half year, across all business sectors. However the negative impact of
currency movements was larger than expected.'


For further information please contact:


Genus Plc                                    Tel. [phone]

Richard Wood, Chief Executive
Martin Boden, Finance Director

Buchanan Communications                      Tel. [phone]

Charles Ryland
Suzanne Brocks
Simon Potter

Bridgewell Securities Ltd                    Tel: [phone]

Shaun Dobson
Fred Ward


This announcement is available on the Genus website, www.genusplc.com



About Genus:


Genus is a world leader in applying science to animal breeding. The unique
combination of quantitative genetics and biotechnology used by Genus is
applicable across all livestock species and enables farmers and producers to
produce higher quality and healthier non-GMO food products. Genus' current
products and services enable producers and farmers to enhance milk and meat
quality and improve efficiency through the application of genetic selection.


Genus' business units, ABS (dairy and beef cattle) and PIC (pigs) sell breeding
animals and semen to customers who produce offspring which yield greater
production efficiency, milk and meat quality for the global dairy and meat
supply chain. Genus' competitive differentiation lies in its ownership and
control of its proprietary lines of breeding animals, its biotechnology used to
improve them and its global production and distribution network.


Genus' technology and products add value throughout the global supply chain of
farmers, breeders, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers.
Headquartered in Basingstoke, England, Genus companies operate in 30 countries
on five continents, with laboratories located in Madison, USA.







                      This information is provided by RNS
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