After several months of discussion and negotiation we have now reached an agreement to acquire the business of SW Seed Ltd from Svalöf Weibull AB effective August 31.

The new shareholders of the company will be Alexander Harley Seeds Ltd of Milnathort, Scotland and Chris Green. We also will change the name from SW Seed Ltd to Senova Ltd. We will continue to operate from the site at Great Abington and will retain the former SW Seed Ltd staff. The directors of Senova are Douglas Harley, Peter Mc Lellan, Jeremy Taylor and Chris Green.

We are particularly pleased that we will continue to be the UK representative for material emanating from the various Svalöf Weibull breeding programmes. In the same manner, we will continue to fund the oat programme at IGER. In both instances we have strong relationships and look forward to further strengthening these partnerships.

The Senova and Alexander Harley Seeds staff are excited about the future prospects and the businesses complement each other well in what is an increasingly competitive market. Whilst there is a change of shareholders and name, the company essentially remains the same entity as when it was formed 25 years ago as a subsidiary of Arthur Guinness & Sons

As an independent company, Senova will harness the experience and competence of its staff to develop its product portfolio in key crop sectors.

We also will continue to further exploit the commercial creativity for which we have found some fame, or perhaps notoriety.

Naturally we are keen to strengthen our relationships and product base.