Disposal

Disposal 

    LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2002--

       Sale of Tate & Lyle's Group Animal Feed and Bulk Storage
                     operations in USA and Canada

Tate & Lyle PLC ('Tate & Lyle') announces that it has signed
agreements for the sale of United Molasses Company, a Delaware
Corporation, ('UMUS') and the business and assets of UM Canada ('UMC')
to Westway Holdings Corporation. UMUS and UMC were part of the Group's
world-wide Animal Feed and Bulk Storage operation previously listed
for disposal and includes all molasses and third party liquid storage
terminals in the USA and Canada.

The sale of UMUS is conditional only upon the assignment of
certain property leases. The sale of UMC is subject to anti-trust
approval in Canada. In the year to 31 March 2002 UMUS and UMC combined
had total sales of £124 million and a profit before interest and
exceptional items of £4 million.

Proceeds of the sales (after collection of receivables and subject to
closing adjustments) are expected to total £29m and will be used to
reduce Group debt.

The initial consideration for UMUS is US$13 million (£8 million) which
has been received in cash and is subject to closing net asset
adjustments. Tate & Lyle will retain and collect closing debtors.
Debtors totalled US$12 million (£8 million) at 30 September 2002.

The initial consideration for UMC is CAD$27 million plus US$1 million
(£12 million) payable in cash on completion and is subject to closing
net asset adjustment. Tate & Lyle will retain and collect certain of
the closing debtors. Retained debtors totalled CAD$3 million (£1
million) at 30 September 2002.

Simon Gifford, Group Finance Director said:

`This disposal marks another step in focusing the Group through the
disposal of non core or underperforming assets and product lines.'

For more information contact:

Mark Robinson     020 7626 6525
Chris Fox         020 7626 6525 or 07801 808553 (Press)

About Tate & Lyle

Tate & Lyle is a world leader in carbohydrate ingredients. Our core
competence is to take basic carbohydrates - corn, wheat or sugar - and
add value to these raw materials through technology. As a result of
continuous innovation we offer an ever-wider product portfolio of
versatile and functional ingredients. These products include Cereal
Sweeteners, Starches, Sugars and Citric Acid. Our products have wide
applications in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper,
packaging and building industries.

With headquarters in London, the Group has 8,500 employees and 50
plants in 24 countries. Sales in the year to 31 March 2002 totalled
£3.9bn. Tate & Lyle ordinary shares trade on the London Stock Exchange
under TATE.L. In the US, ADRs trade on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board
under TATYY (each ADR is equal to four ordinary shares). Additional
information can be found at the website www.tateandlyle.com.

   Short Name: Tate & Lyle PLC
   Category Code: DIS
   Sequence Number: 00001467
   Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20021220T065120+0000