Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S Denmark is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Osteospermum Cape Daisy® Breeding programme from Ecke Europe ApS and PLA International ApS.

Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S has as of March 12, 2004 acquired the Osteospermum Cape Daisy® Breeding programme from Ecke Europe ApS and PLA International ApS. This acquisition will strengthen and ensure the continuation of an active breeding programme for Osteospermum Cape Daisy® series after the retirement of Mr. Carl Aksel Kragh Sørensen, the original breeder and creator of this world famous series. Mr. Sørensen will act as a consultant in the future breeding programme and the breeder of the series on the market today, Niels Kristensen, will join the new Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S breeding team lead by Dr. Masao Bessho. With this, and with the addition of the genetics from the Osteospermum Side series of Sakata, it is foreseen that exciting new programme of Osteospermum will be created for future markets.

Marketing and promotion will be spearheaded by a steering committee from Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S and PLA®, the European license and marketing organisation of the Paul Ecke Ranch in the USA. This is seen as an exciting beginning of co-operation between the two companies.

Grower distribution will be via the European Distribution of Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S and the nominated licensees of PLA®. Distribution in the USA will be by the Paul Ecke Ranch, California.

Cape Daisy®

Today the world-leading Osteospermum series Cape Daisy® consists of a broad selection of easy-to-produce varieties.

The breeding focus has been on consumer satisfaction which has resulted in varieties in a full colour range of white - yellow - peach - terracotta - pink - rose and purple with beautiful flower forms, good garden performance and fl owers that stay open even in low light conditions. Furthermore a range of varieties with exciting spoon-shaped petals is available in white- cream - pink - purple. The Cape Daisy presentation is being enhanced at retail level through the use of labels, tags, sleeves and printed pots available through ElmerPrint A/S and Rosti OS.

For a description of each Cape Daisy® variety and for information about Cape Daisy® POS materials, please visit the website www.capedaisy.com