Final Results for Year Ended 31 March 2021

RNS Number : 3679G
Eco Animal Health Group PLC
26 July 2021
 

26 July 2021

 

 

ECO Animal Health Group plc (''ECO")
(AIM: EAH)

Results for the year ended 31 March 2021

ECO REPORTS A RECORD PERFORMANCE

HIGHLIGHTS

Financials

· Sales up 46% at £105.6m (2020: £72.1m)

· Gross margin increased to 51% (2020: 46%)

· Profit before tax increased significantly to £20.3m (2020 restated: £6.1m)

· Earnings per share increased significantly to 12.08p (2020 restated: 5.77p)

· Cash generated from operations significantly stronger at £15.8m (2020: £5.5m)

· Net cash at the end of the period £19.5m (2020: £9.8m)

· New product development expenditure 17% lower at £9.1m (2020: £10.9m)

· Dividend re-introduced - 1p per share (2020: Nil)

Operations

· Aivlosin® demand increased by 44% led by

Rapid recovery & return to profitability in China as swine herds rebuilt following worst effects of African Swine Fever (ASF)

Strong growth in USA amid domestic demand & strengthening exports

Strong export driven growth in Brazil

· Aivlosin® water soluble formulation approval in pigs for M. hyopneumoniae granted in USA, Canada & EU

· First vaccine licence approval in Brazil

· Two worldwide exclusive research partnerships signed to develop & licence novel vaccines for pigs against Porcine Respiratory & Reproductive Syndrome virus (PRRSV)

· Business logistics, volumes and access uninterrupted during COVID-19 remote working

Marc Loomes, CEO of ECO Animal Health Group plc, commented: "These excellent results reflect the strong recovery in selected key markets which, together with the adaptability and innovation shown by our employees has delivered a record result during a year of formidable operational challenges arising from macroeconomic events.  We are excited about the progress within our new product development programmes, with previous announcements demonstrating the potential of our in-house science and external collaborations.  This year has had a solid start, we carefully monitor the demand for our products and recognise the easing in China, but remain confident of a successful out-turn for the year."

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Group to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR") as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect the knowledge and information available to the Company and Group during preparation and up to the publication of this announcement. By their very nature, these statements depend upon circumstances and relate to events that may occur in the future and thereby involving a degree of uncertainty. Therefore, nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast by the Company or Group.

 

 

Contacts

 

ECO Animal Health Group plc

Marc Loomes (CEO)

Christopher Wilks (CFO)

 


020 8447 8899

 

IFC Advisory

Graham Herring

Zach Cohen

 

020 3934 6630

 

Singer Capital Markets (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker)

Mark Taylor

Peter Steel

Iqra Amin

 

020 7496 3000

Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker)

James Steel

Dr Christopher Golden

020 7418 8900

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

 

This has been a year of exceptional performance, where we passed the milestone of £100m of sales and saw major growth in profit and cash flow.

The main contributor to the growth was China where a favourable combination of industry structural changes and restocking of the pig herd after the ASF epidemic together with changes in regulations for use of antibiotics in feed created exceptional levels of demand and sales opportunity for Aivlosin®. Additionally, we also saw good growth of our business in the key territories of North America and Brazil and steady progress in others.

This would have been a great achievement in any year, but in a year where the world has been in the grips of COVID-19 and when the UK finally implemented Brexit, it is an exceptional performance.

Staff throughout the business have quickly adapted to new ways of working and risen to the many challenges they faced to deliver a year of considerable financial performance.

We have also made excellent progress with our strategy to build on our strong position with Aivlosin® in pig and poultry markets with a new complementary range of vaccines. We have an excellent portfolio of vaccine projects that are progressing well through the development process, backed by a team of highly experienced R&D scientists. The Board is excited by the value creation potential of our R&D programmes.

The performance has resulted in a strong recovery of our profits and cash generation from operations compared with the prior year. We are pleased to propose the resumption of the payment of a dividend. The Board is proposing a dividend of 1.00p per share, which subject to shareholder approval will be paid on 22 October 2021 to shareholders on the register on 24 September 2021. The ex-dividend date will be 23 September 2021.

We have made substantial progress in strengthening governance systems in the Company and continue to build on this:

· The work to restate historical financial statements is now complete.

· Shareholders approved the new Annual Bonus Plan (including a deferred element) and Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") at a General Meeting in March 2021, and implementation of these schemes is now underway. We believe these rewards schemes will drive both shorter- and longer-term value and better align the interests of management with shareholders.

· We recognise the importance of clear and transparent reporting on how the Company approaches activities that relate to Environmental, Social and Governance matters. We have for the first time included in this Annual Report a specific section, entitled "Sustainability Report" as a first step and plan to make a full review during the year and report in the next Annual Report.

I have already mentioned the great contribution by management and staff throughout the Company which led to the excellent recovery and growth in the business. I am hugely grateful for their commitment and energy in moving ECO to a significantly stronger position than it has been before.

We have today also announced the intention of Marc Loomes to retire.  He wishes to retire on 31 December 2022 and will support the smooth transition to his successor. We are hugely grateful to Marc for his significant contribution and strong leadership he has provided over the last 17 years, and his total commitment to ensure a smooth succession process.  I have particularly enjoyed my time working with Marc and he can be truly proud of the business that he has created and led.

I would also like to once again sincerely thank our shareholders for their support. The last two years have seen huge challenges for the Company and the Board is highly appreciative of the continued loyalty and support from investors.

 

Outlook

Performance in our first three months of the current financial year ending 31 March 2022 has been solid with Group revenue marginally behind the corresponding prior year period.

The strength seen in our Chinese market at the end of the last financial year has eased significantly following the recent pork price declines.  This decline began to reverse ahead of the recent announcement on 28th June 2021 by the China state planner that central and local governments will start buying pork for state reserves. We have seen continuing strength in Latin America and early signs of recovery in Southeast Asia.

The Group's historical pattern of second half revenue weighting is expected to be retained during the current financial year particularly in relation to China where the market softness in the first three months of our current financial year is expected to reverse later in the year as state purchasing of pork improves the producer margins and encourages the purchasing of the Group's products.

We look forward to the rest of this financial year and our reporting prospects for 2022 with cautious optimism.

 

 

Dr Andrew Jones Chairman

25 July 2021

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

I am delighted to report on a year of unprecedented performance which culminated in a record performance for the year ended 31 March 2021 exceeding the upgraded market expectations.

The Company encountered a series of formidable operational challenges during a period of remarkable change; the global COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted work locations and practices, the consummation of Brexit and several ongoing regional outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in China and in other territories, required our employees to adapt, to innovate and to remain focused on the business. It is these staff attributes that have enabled the delivery of these notable results.

Operational Review

Global revenue grew by 46% to £105.6 million reflecting the rapid restructuring and return to profitability of the Chinese pork market, supported by solid growth in the important North American and Brazilian domestic and export markets. Good progress was made in a number of key territories reflecting the value of ECO's global footprint with sales generated in more than seventy countries, reflecting the global commoditised nature of pork and poultry production.

Sales of Aivlosin®, our patented antimicrobial which is used under veterinary prescription for the treatment of economically important diseases in pigs and poultry, increased by 44% to £87.5 million (2020: £60.7 million), accounting for 83% of total revenue.

Sales of the smaller Ecomectin® anti-parasitic range at £4.2 million (2020: £4.0 million), increased by 7% and represented 4% of the Group's revenue.

Sales of all other products were £13.8 million (2020: £7.5 million) and mainly comprised a range of supportive antimicrobial products for pigs in China.

Revenue from our external customers in China increased by 178%. This growth was underpinned by structural changes to the pork producing industry forced by the ASF pandemic and consequent rapid restocking of pig herds by major producers. Our Chinese subsidiary has focused on the respiratory health benefits of Aivlosin® for replacement breeding sows and piglets whose numbers at the major producers have increased rapidly in response to the pork shortage and very high pork prices. The value of these sows and their offspring has enabled the subsidiary to secure the business of an increasing number of key accounts as the industry faced the withdrawal of antimicrobials used as growth promoters together with a long hard winter which resulted in high respiratory disease prevalence.

Revenue in Japan declined by 7% with COVID-19 restrictions limiting access to producers.

North American revenue from external customers increased strongly by 19% reflecting the growing importance of Aivlosin®'s low yet effective dose rate and short treatment duration in medication protocols as veterinarians and producers adhere to responsible use of antimicrobial guidelines.

In the USA, revenue was 28% higher at £10.6 million, reflecting rapidly rising farm incomes, profitability at the producer and at the packer level, and buoyant exports brought about by ASF  in China. Our strengthened sales and technical teams have focused on further business expansion at both key producers and dispensing veterinary practices.

 

 

Canadian revenue fell by 2% to £3.3 million largely because COVID-19 related enhanced biosecurity measures resulted in an exceptional overall health status of the national swine herd.

Brazilian revenue rose strongly by 32% to £7.1 million reflecting the benefits of ECO's key account management approach and the development of a very strong partnership with our local third-party distributor. Important supply tenders to major producers were won and the customer base broadened in a market where exports were strong but domestic demand subdued. The Mexican subsidiary's revenue fell by 7% to £4.8 million hampered by stock availability in a particularly difficult COVID-19 trading environment. Revenue across the other Latin American countries increased by 14% despite the extremely challenging economic and social conditions where gains in Bolivia, Cuba and Chile were partly offset by declines in Argentina, Colombia and Peru.

In South and Southeast Asia, revenue declined significantly by 36% to £9.1 million reflecting the impact of both ASF and COVID-19 across the region, notably in Thailand, our largest market, where despite difficulties the Company gained a positive treatment protocol listing for Aivlosin® with a major global producer. A new distributor was appointed in the Philippines, a recruitment process initiated for a key account manager in Indonesia for poultry where the business held up very well, and there were signs of an early and strong recovery in Vietnam. In India poultry market conditions remained extremely challenging.

European revenue declined by 13% to £6.6 million. Aivlosin® sales were strong in key markets such as Spain although overall revenue into continental markets fell.

Sales in the United Kingdom, which represented less than 2% of global revenue, declined by 17% to £1.5 million, across all products reflecting the difficult trading environment.

In Russia, an increasingly active exporter of pork and poultry meat, revenue was affected by disease outbreaks in swine and in poultry although relationships with the most important customers were strengthened.

Sales in the Rest of the World increased by 16% to £1.3 million largely due to strong demand for Aivlosin® in Egypt offsetting a declining presence in South Africa.

Product Approvals

Aivlosin® marketing authorisations for swine were received from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the United States Center for Veterinary Medicine of the Food and Drug Administration and from the Veterinary Drugs Directorate of Health Canada. These approvals added the treatment and control of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae to the Aivlosin® Water Soluble Granules formulation label. M. hyopneumoniae is a primary pathogen in swine respiratory disease ("SRD") complexes playing an important role in facilitating the entry of other bacterial and viral pathogens. SRD occurs worldwide and causes major economic losses to the pig industry.

 

A marketing authorisation from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply was received for Circo/MycoGard®, a vaccine for piglets against Porcine Circovirus type 2 ("PCV2") and M. hyopneumoniae, two of the most common primary pig respiratory disease pathogens affecting the health and productivity of swine globally. This first vaccine marketing authorisation, obtained in collaboration with Pharmgate Corp, USA marks a significant milestone as the Company builds capability with vaccines and broadens its product portfolio.

 

Pipeline

The Company's early-stage research and proof of concept development activities are managed through collaborations with leading research institutions and universities with later stage full development work managed in-house. This model mitigates the significant costs associated with in-house laboratories and Company owned research functions.

ECO has a formidable team of scientists and is building a significant product portfolio pipeline with a mix of well-established concepts and novel, highly competitive technologies and approaches with the emphasis on vaccines and other new products to complement our existing antimicrobial business. The pipeline is focused on providing solutions to respiratory and gastrointestinal (gut) diseases of major economic importance in pigs and poultry.

Two worldwide exclusive research partnerships were signed in October 2020 with The Pirbright Institute in the UK and The Vaccine Group, also in the UK, to develop and licence novel vaccines for use in pigs against porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ("PRRSV"), one of the most economically damaging diseases to the global pig industry.

New product development expenditure in the year was capped at £9.1 million (2020: £10.9 million) reflecting the Board's initiation of a project prioritisation exercise within the R&D development portfolio to conserve cash in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expenditure has been reinstated at the significant level of £10.2 million in 2021/22 which will ensure the acceleration of several key projects and that the product development portfolio is constantly refreshed. Our objective is to have several mid and late-stage projects able to deliver first revenues from the middle of the decade onwards.

COVID-19 Impact

The Group's transition to effective homeworking has been smooth. All staff have been retained and ECO has not required assistance from any UK or US Government financial support schemes. The Company's outsourced manufacturing model, the supply chain and our routes to market have, in most locations, functioned robustly.

Brexit

ECO's EU marketing authorisations have been transferred to the European subsidiary, ECO Animal Health Europe Limited registered in Dublin, Republic of Ireland and our contingency product supply plans are operational. The limited ongoing financial impact of Brexit is expected to be further mitigated as our new systems bed in. ECO's sales to the EU (excluding the UK) represented 6.2% of total revenue for the year.

People

ECO has provided flexibility to all our employees, supporting those with childcare and other caring responsibilities and ensured that homeworking has been as effective as possible. Notwithstanding this, our employees have demonstrated extraordinary levels of energy, engagement and professionalism in addressing the considerable challenges of the past year. Individually and collectively their ability to innovate and to adapt combined with sheer hard work and considerable fortitude underpins both these results and ECO's prospects. It is these characteristics that will enable ECO to meet current and future market challenges and for this I thank them.

 

 

 

We have today also announced my intention to retire on 31 December 2022.  After 17 years I feel it is the right time to seek my retirement and I look forward to working with the Board to effect a smooth transition to my successor.  I am immensely grateful for the support I have enjoyed over the years from colleagues and friends both within the business and outside.  I will be available to help my successor in any way possible.

 

 

Marc Loomes

Chief Executive Officer

25 July 2021

 

FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

Introduction

I am pleased to present my second report as the Group Finance Director of ECO.

The year ended 31 March 2021 has been a significant year, most obviously marked by the need to work remotely and without the benefits of physical communication with customers, suppliers and colleagues. Naturally this has brought challenges, but we are proud to be able to report that ECO has worked through this period with minimal interruption. We have chosen not to access any governmental support, staff and external stakeholder morale has remained good and the business is reporting record revenues and earnings in the year ended 31 March 2021.

The "journey of change" I spoke about last year has continued throughout this financial year and the benefits are beginning to be seen. In particular, the audit this year has been a considerably smoother process and the financial control system improvements have functioned well. The internal audit function has conducted some useful reviews albeit that their inability to travel has hampered the geographical reach of their work this year.

 

Trading

In last year's accounts we reported a very strong second half revenue performance; the second half representing circa 60% of the overall total for the year. This second half weighting was repeated in the latest financial year and arose - much as it did last year, from growth in China. The recovery from the African Swine Fever outbreak in China has been widely reported and the combination of governmental incentives and commodity price drivers has benefitted major producers who have gained a larger market share among pork producers in China. These major producers represent the target market for Aivlosin®.

A geographical analysis of revenue is as follows:

 

RevenueSummary

Year ended31March

 

 

2021

2020

%change

 

(£'m)

(£'m)

 

ChinaandJapan

58.9

23.1

154%

NorthAmerica(USAandCanada)

13.9

11.6

19%

SouthandSouthEastAsia

9.1

14.2

(36%)

LatinAmerica

14.3

12.6

13%

Europe

6.6

7.6

(13%)

Restof WorldandUK

  2.8

  3.0

  (4%)  

 

105.6

72.1

46%

 

Revenue from China and Japan in the second half of the year was £38.1 million compared to the first six months ended 30 September 2020 of £20.8 million and the six months ended 31 March 2020 of £16.1 million. Japan represents less than 5% of the combined revenues. These successive six month increases in revenue in China demonstrated the ability of ECO to harness the market potential at a time when a favourable combination of herd restocking,

 

 

and very high pork prices created exceptional levels of demand. The last full year of revenue in China and Japan before the ASF outbreak was the year ended 31 March 2018 and amounted to £27.6 million. This more than doubling of revenue compared to the last full year without ASF is significant but this may in part reflect a re-bound which is to be expected following a period of abnormally low demand. 

North America and Latin America have also advanced well during the year; commodity price stabilisation in the USA and export market opportunities in Brazil underpinning the ECO performance.

The sales performance in South and South East Asia has been disappointing, reflecting the impact of both ASF and COVID-19 in these markets. After a year of strong growth (the increase in 2020 compared to 2019 was 75%) the revenue has settled to £9.1 million (2020: £14.2 million) compared with £8.1 million in the year ended 31 March 2019. As highlighted in the CEO report there has been some positive commercial news in Thailand, encouraging developments in The Philippines and Indonesia and early signs of market recovery in Vietnam. India remains challenging where the poultry market has for the last 18 months been suffering with very low commodity prices and reduced demand.

Gross margins at 51% in the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020: 46%) showed a significant improvement. These gains were largely as a result of a favourable geographical mix - China and Japan represented 56% of Group revenues in the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020: 32%),  where the margins are higher than the average of the rest of the Group.

Overheads, at £33.6 million were significantly greater in the year ended 31 March 2021 compared with the year ended 31 March 2020 (restated: £27.3 million). Wages and salaries increased to £12.4 million (2020: £8.2 million) reflecting a greater bonus accrual - specifically in China - as well as investment in sales and marketing, R&D and the finance team. In addition, the effect of the US Dollar weakening compared with Sterling resulted in a foreign exchange loss which increased by £1.7 million. Increases in insurance (greater revenue) and audit fee (new auditors with cost overruns incurred last year but impacting this year) were offset by COVID-19 related savings in advertising, travel expenditure and R&D.

Total cash expenditure on research and development in the year was £9.1 million (2020: £10.9 million). The total cash expenditure in R&D can be analysed as follows:

 

Yearended31March

 

2021

£000's

2020

£000's

Research expenditure-includedinadministrativeexpenses

8,072

8,775

Development expenditure -capitalisedinintangibleassets

 
986

2,115

Totalcashexpenditure

9,058

10,890

 

 

 

Overall R&D expenditure in the year reduced as a consequence of a cautious approach taken by the Board in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the half year, the Board decided to increase expenditure once the trading patterns could be confidently discerned, and it was clear that the Group had adapted to the new ways of working. This expenditure was expensed to the extent that it related to projects at the research phase and capitalised in accordance with IAS38 to the extent that it related to projects in the latter stage (development phase) of the project life-cycle. About 11% of expenditure was capitalised in the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020: 19%) - this reflects the greater proportion of earlier stage project work such as vaccine and biologicals development.

EBITDA has historically represented a key performance measure; the removal of amortisation (which is a significant annual non-cash charge to profits) and depreciation provides a good indication of the underlying cash trading performance of the business. The charge for amortisation of intangible assets and depreciation in the year was £1.3 million (2020 restated: £1.1 million). The EBITDA margin (excluding foreign exchange movements and expressed as a percentage of revenue in the period) was 23.1% in the year ended 31 March 2021 compared with 11.6% in the year ended 31 March 2020. This doubling in the EBITDA margin arises in part from the increased gross margin; the remainder is the result of operational gearing from increasing revenue with overheads increasing at a lower rate. Greater emphasis is now placed by the Board and the Leadership team on profit before income tax which includes all elements of charges (both cash and non-cash). As described in the Remuneration Committee report the key profit measure by which executive management are rewarded is profit before tax. Accordingly, EBITDA will have far less prominence in the future.

Profit before income tax has increased to £20.3 million in the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020 restated: £6.1 million), through a combination of greater revenue (profit contribution of £15.5 million), stronger margins (profit contribution of £4.7 million) and lower investment in expensed research (£0.7 million) offset by increased foreign exchange differences (£1.7 million) and increased administrative expenses (£5.0 million).

The Group continues to benefit from a low effective tax rate in the UK due to the significant expenditure in the R&D programme for which R&D tax credits are claimed. Historic tax losses result in zero tax payable in the UK in the year. For the Group overall, in the year ended 31 March 2021 the effective tax rate was 17.9% (2020 restated: 10.7%). The increase in the rate this year reflects, in the main, a greater proportion of the Group's profits being taxed in higher tax rate jurisdictions such as China (which has a headline corporation tax rate of 25%).

Profit after tax was £16.6 million in the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020 restated: £5.5 million) reflecting the profit drivers described above offset by the higher effective tax rate. Earnings per share ("EPS") has grown from 5.77 pence in the year ended 31 March 2020 (restated) to 12.08 pence in the year ended 31 March 2021; the increase in EPS is less than the proportionate increase in profit after tax because the minority interest relating to the Group's joint venture partner in China was greater in the year ended 31 March 2021 arising from the significantly stronger trading in China.

The consolidated cash position in the Group has increased from £11.9 million at 31 March 2020 to £19.5 million at 31 March 2021. This consolidated cash position at 31 March 2021 includes £13.7 million (2020: £5.3 million) which is held in the Group's subsidiary in China. A portion of this cash is repatriated from China once per annum by dividend declaration; the Group's share of the China cash distribution which is received in the UK is 51%. During the year the dividend received from the Group's holding in the China subsidiary was £0.6 million - related to the China profitability in the year ended 31 December 2019 (2020: £1.0 million - related to year ended 31 December 2018). The greater impact from ASF in China arose in the year ended 31 December 2019. 

The cash generated from operations was significantly greater in the year ended 31 March 2021 at £15.8 million (2020: £5.5 million) reflecting the increased profitability of the Group. The cash conversion ratio (calculated as cash generated from operations divided by profit before income tax) decreased from 89% to 78% primarily due to an absorption of cash into inventories associated with rising revenues. Trade receivables increased by only 15% despite an increase in Group revenues of 46%, reflecting improved credit control. From operating cashflow, the overdraft was paid down (£2.0 million), income tax of £3.8 million was paid, investment of £0.9 million was made in capitalised development costs, dividends were paid to the minority interest in China (£0.6 million), the US Dollar and other foreign denominated cash balances translated to a foreign exchange loss of £0.7 million and other sundry cash movements (£0.1 million) resulted in an overall net cash improvement of £9.7 million and the higher cash balance at 31 March 2021. The Group's £5 million overdraft facility (undrawn at the year end) remains in place.

The non-controlling interest element of the consolidated Group profit is that portion of the profit attributable to the Group's 49% joint venture partner in China. The portion of the consolidated profit attributable to the non-controlling interest was 51% in the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020: 29%). This increase arises for two reasons: the significant increase in the Group's profits derived from China (the revenue analysis above shows that China represented over half the Group's revenue in 2021 compared with less than a third in 2020) and, secondly, the research and development for the Group being undertaken in the UK - this results in the net profit margin in the UK portion of the Group being less than the net margin in China. Advice has been received following a transfer pricing study which supports a royalty charge and an appropriate royalty agreement will be put in place to more equitably share the profitability relating to the exploitation of the Group's intellectual property.

Audit

The audit for the year ended 31 March 2021 was a more expeditious process than last year: this was the second year of auditing the ECO Group by BDO and the prior year balance sheet did not require a re-audit. BDO attended stock takes, providing them with the required support for the stock on hand at 31 March 2021.

The audit opinion for the year ended 31 March 2020 was qualified by virtue of limitation in scope on two grounds:

· Non-attendance at certain stock takes due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic

· The inability to access records to support intangible assets capitalised relating to costs incurred prior to 2012.

 

For the year ended 31 March 2021 the limitation of scope qualification in respect of non-attendance at stock takes is repeated only in respect of the comparative period.

Much work was undertaken on Intangible Assets in the balance sheet to finalise the Directors' assessment of costs in periods prior to 2014 and to remove the limitation in scope from the audit opinion.

In agreement with the auditors, the Directors concluded that IAS 8 allows previously capitalized development cost balances in the balance sheet, which as part of a prior period error adjustment exercise, cannot be supported due to a lack of accounting records, to be expensed. For the year ended 31 March 2020 annual report and accounts, the Directors applied estimates of what proportion of costs should be expensed, for earlier periods where accounting records could not be located in the available time before the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts were signed. Those estimates were consistent with the proportion of costs expensed as part of the prior year adjustment exercise for more recent periods where accounting records were available and reviewed. In order to effect this adjustment (and remove the audit qualification), a revision to the Prior Period Adjustment presented last year has been required and we include an explanatory note to describe this adjustment (note 3 in this Annual Report). The effect of the adjustment at 31 March 2019 is to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets and retained earnings by £6.4 million; at 31 March 2020 to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets by £5.4 million, reduce non-current liabilities by £0.4 million and to reduce retained earnings by £5.0 million; and reduce amortisation within administrative expenses, resulting in an increase in operating profit and profit before tax for the year ended 31 March 2020 of £0.9 million, and a decrease in income tax charge of £0.4m. Having undertaken this adjustment, BDO has now been able to remove the audit qualification and are able to satisfactorily conclude their opinion on the carrying value of intangible assets. This reduction in the carrying value of intangible assets at 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2020 has the secondary benefit of reducing the on-going amortisation charge.

 

 

Post balance sheet events

 

Awards were made to the CEO and the Finance Director under the new LTIP post year end on 28 April 2021. Further details are provided in the Remuneration Committee Report.

 

Marc Loomes, who joined ECO Animal Health Group plc in 2004, became Managing Director in 2005 and CEO in 2010, has informed the Board that he plans to retire on the 31 December 2022. The Board has commenced a process with a leading executive search consultancy to identify and appoint a successor to take over from Marc during the 2022-23 financial year.

 

 

 

Christopher Wilks 

Finance Director

25 July 2021

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Notes

£000's

£000's
Restated*

 

 

 

 

Revenue

4

105,607

72,106

Cost of sales

 

(51,990)

(38,742)

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

53,617

33,364

 

 

 

 

Other income

5

319

105

Administrative expenses

 

(33,619)

(27,334)

 

 

 

 

Profit from operating activities

6

20,317

6,135

 

 

 

 

Finance income

7

129

112

Finance costs

7

(200)

(142)

Net finance (expense)/income

 

(71)

(30)

 

 

 

 

Share of profit of associate

16

38

42

 

 

38

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

 

20,284

6,147

Income tax charge

9

(3,635)

(659)

Profit for the year

 

16,649

5,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit attributable to:

 

 

 

Owners of the parent Company

 

8,158

3,895

Non-controlling interest

26

8,491

1,593

Profit for the year

 

16,649

5,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share (pence)

8

12.08

5.77

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

8

12.07

5.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, Share Based Payments and Foreign Exchange Differences

6

24,400

8,362

 

 

 

 

*Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

 

The notes on pages 20 to 90 form part of these financial statements.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Notes

£000's

£000's
Restated*

 

 

 

 

Profit for the year

 

16,649

5,488

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income/(losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation differences

 

(258)

98

 

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

 

 

 

Revaluation of freehold property

13

-

(92)

Deferred tax on property revaluations

 

84

-

Remeasurement of defined benefit pension schemes

23

(32)

12

Other comprehensive income/(losses) for the year

 

(206)

18

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

16,443

5,506

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

Owners of the parent Company

 

8,233

3,874

Non-controlling interest

26

8,210

1,632

 

 

16,443

5,506

 

 

*Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

 

The notes on pages 20 to 90 form part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

Share

Share

Revaluation

Other

Foreign

Retained

Total

Non-

Total

 

Capital

Premium

Reserve

Reserves

Exchange

Earnings

 

controlling

Equity

 

 

Account

 

 

Reserve

 

 

Interest

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2019 - as reported

3,372

62,650

664

106

467

17,214

84,473

5,102

89,575

Prior year adjustments*

-

-

-

-

-

(6,359)

(6,359)

-

(6,359)

Balance as at 31 March 2019 - as restated

3,372

62,650

664

106

467

10,855

78,114

5,102

83,216

Profit for the year - restated*

-

-

-

-

-

3,895

3,895

1,593

5,488

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency differences

-

-

-

-

59

-

59

39

98

Revaluation of freehold property

-

-

(92)

-

-

-

(92)

-

(92)

Actuarial gains on pension scheme assets

-

-

-

-

-

12

12

-

12

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

-

-

(92)

-

59

3,907

3,874

1,632

5,506

Transactions with owners:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of shares in the year

5

232

-

-

-

-

237

-

237

Share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

284

284

-

284

Deferred tax on share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

(373)

(373)

-

(373)

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

(7,453)

(7,453)

(968)

(8,421)

Transactions with owners

5

232

-

-

-

(7,542)

(7,305)

(968)

(8,273)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2020 - as restated

3,377

62,882

572

106

526

7,220

74,683

5,766

80,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the year

-

-

-

-

-

8,158

8,158

8,491

16,649

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency differences

-

-

-

-

23

-

23

(281)

(258)

Deferred tax on property revaluations

-

-

84

-

-

-

84

-

84

Actuarial gains on pension scheme assets

-

-

-

-

-

(32)

(32)

-

(32)

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

-

-

84

-

23

8,126

8,233

8,210

16,443

Transactions with owners:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of shares in the year

2

376

-

-

-

-

378

-

378

Share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

123

123

-

123

Deferred tax on share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(562)

(562)

Transactions with owners

2

376

-

-

-

123

501

(562)

(61)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2021

3,379

63,258

656

106

549

15,469

83,417

13,414

96,831

 

* Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

The notes on pages 20 to 90 form part of these financial statements.
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

Company

 

 

Share

Share

Other

Revaluation

Retained

Total

 

Capital

Premium

Reserves

Reserve

Earnings

 

 

 

Account

 

 

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2019

3,372

62,650

106

395

18,509

85,032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(151)

(151)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revaluation of freehold property

-

-

-

(92)

-

(92)

Actuarial gain on pension scheme assets

-

-

-

-

12

12

Total comprehensive loss for the year

-

-

-

(92)

(139)

(231)

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of shares in the year

5

232

-

-

-

237

Share-based payments

-

-

 -

-

284

284

Deferred tax on share-based payments

-

-

 -

-

(63)

(63)

Deferred tax on property revaluations

-

-

-

(1)

(1)

Dividends

-

-

-

-

(7,453)

(7,453)

Transactions with owners

5

232

-

(1)

(7,232)

(6,996)

Balance as at 31 March 2020

3,377

62,882

106

302

11,138

77,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(903)

(903)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax on property revaluations

-

-

-

83

-

83

Actuarial loss on pension scheme assets

-

-

-

-

(32)

(32)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

-

-

-

83

(935)

(852)

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of shares in the year

2

376

-

-

-

378

Share-based payments

-

-

-

-

123

123

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

Transactions with owners

2

376

-

-

123

501

Balance as at 31 March 2021

3,379

63,258

106

385

10,326

77,454

 

The notes on pages 20 to 90 form part of these financial statements.

 

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CO. NUMBER: 01818170)

AS AT 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

Group

 

 

Company

 

 

 

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

 

Notes

£000's

£000's
Restated*

£000's
Restated*

£000's

£000's

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

12

36,108

36,020

34,650

-

-

Property, plant and equipment

13

2,181

2,426

2,144

651

622

Investment property

14

305

305

200

305

305

Right-of-use assets

15

1,399

1,658

1,675

37

25

Investments

16

180

166

116

20,032

20,032

Amounts due from subsidiary Company

18

-

-

-

55,909

59,295

Deferred tax assets

 

-

-

-

-

-

Total non-current assets

 

40,173

40,575

38,785

76,934

80,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

17

20,504

17,264

19,477

-

-

Trade and other receivables

18

32,452

28,353

23,333

281

55

Income tax recoverable

 

3,475

1,265

827

-

-

Other taxes and social security

 

496

652

462

27

36

Cash and cash equivalents

20

19,523

11,877

16,863

819

177

Total current assets

 

76,450

59,411

60,962

1,127

268

TOTAL ASSETS

 

116,623

99,986

99,747

78,061

80,547

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

21

(14,521)

(14,486)

(13,363)

(524)

(567)

Borrowings

22

-

(2,032)

-

-

(2,001)

Income tax payable

 

(3,015)

(940)

(816)

-

-

Other taxes and social security

 

(501)

-

(533)

-

-

Lease liabilities

22

(311)

(342)

(330)

(7)

(24)

Dividends

 

(50)

(50)

(49)

(50)

(50)

Current liabilities

 

(18,398)

(17,850)

(15,091)

(581)

(2,642)

Net current assets/(liabilities)

 

58,052

41,561

45,871

546

(2,374)

Total assets less current liabilities

 

98,225

82,136

84,656

77,480

77,905

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax

19

(183)

(263)

-

6

(95)

Lease liabilities

22

(1,211)

(1,424)

(1,440)

(32)

(5)

TOTAL ASSETS LESS TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

96,831

80,449

83,216

77,454

77,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued share capital

25

3,379

3,377

3,372

3,379

3,377

Share premium account

 

63,258

62,882

62,650

63,258

62,882

Revaluation reserve

 

656

572

664

385

302

Other reserves

27

106

106

106

106

106

Foreign exchange reserve

27

549

526

467

-

-

Retained earnings

 

15,469

7,220

10,855

10,326

11,138

Shareholders' funds

 

83,417

74,683

78,114

77,454

77,805

Non-controlling interests

26

13,414

5,766

5,102

-

-

Total equity

 

96,831

80,449

83,216

77,454

77,805

Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 25 July 2021

Dr Andrew Jones, Chairman.

 

*Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

The notes on pages 20 to 90 form part of these financial statements.

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Notes

£000's

£000's
Restated*

£000's

£000's
Restated*

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) before income tax

 

20,284

6,147

(916)

(151)

Adjustment for:

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

7

(129)

(112)

(875)

(895)

Finance cost

7

200

142

65

30

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

 

559

62

(3)

-

Depreciation

13

430

334

15

17

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

15

403

389

24

32

Revaluation of investment property

14

-

(64)

-

(64)

Amortisation of intangible assets

12

898

745

-

-

Share of associate's results

16

(38)

(42)

-

-

Impairment of investments

16

-

-

-

45

Share based payment charge

 

123

284

8

114

Dividends received

 

-

-

(46)

(77)

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

 

22,730

7,885

(1,728)

(949)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in inventories

 

(3,698)

2,212

-

-

Change in receivables

 

(3,959)

(5,209)

3,169

962

Change in payables

 

753

603

33

253

Cash generated from operations

 

15,826

5,491

1,474

266

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

 

(79)

(17)

(54)

(30)

Income tax

 

(3,766)

(1,076)

(5)

-

Net cash from operating activities

 

11,981

4,398

1,415

236

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

13

(212)

(767)

(37)

(1)

Disposal of property, plant and equipment

13

11

-

-

-

Purchase of intangibles

12

(861)

(2,115)

-

-

Finance income

7

129

112

875

895

Dividends received

 

-

-

46

77

Net cash (used in)/from investing activities

 

(933)

(2,770)

884

971

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issue of share capital

 

378

237

378

237

Interest paid on lease liabilities

22

(122)

(124)

(11)

(13)

Principal paid on lease liabilities

22

(378)

(365)

(23)

(38)

Dividends paid

 

(562)

(8,421)

-

(7,453)

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities

 

(684)

(8,673)

344

(7,267)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

10,364

(7,045)

2,643

(6,060)

Foreign exchange movements

 

(686)

27

-

-

Balance at the beginning of the period

 

9,845

16,863

(1,824)

4,236

Balance at the end of the period**

20

19,523

9,845

819

(1,824)

*Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

**In the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalent is presented net of balances outstanding on bank overdrafts. Please refer to note 20 for further details.

 

The notes on pages 20 to 90 form part of these financial statements.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1.  General information

 

ECO Animal Health Group plc ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (together "the Group") manufacture and supply animal health products globally.

 

The Company is traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is 78 Coombe Road, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 4QS.

 

The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 or 31 March 2020. The auditors reported on those accounts and their report (i) was qualified at both year ends by virtue of limitation in scope in respect of non-attendance at certain physical inventory counts on 31 March 2020 and, in respect of 31 March 2020 alone, qualified due to non-availability of accounting records prior to 2013 in relation to verification of capitalised development costs, (ii) did not include references to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

 

2.  Summary of significant accounting policies

 

2.1  Basis of preparation

 

The Group has presented its annual report and accounts in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

 

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. Further details of estimates and judgements are provided in note 2.30 .

 

The principal accounting policies of the Group are set out below and have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Group's financial statements.

 

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, formed a judgement that there is a reasonable expectation that the Company and Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

This conclusion is based on a review of the resources available to the Group, taking account of the Group's financial projections together with available cash and committed borrowing facilities. The Directors have performed a reverse stress test on the business, by considering what quantum of revenue and gross margin reduction would be required to exhaust all available funds within 12 months of the date of approving the accounts. The Directors concluded that the likelihood of such a reduction was remote, and therefore that no material uncertainty exists with respect of going concern.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.2  Adoption of new and revised standards

 

The following new standards, amendments and interpretations for existing standards became effective in the financial year. These standards have been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements but did not have a material effect on the Group.

 

§ Definition of a Business (Amendments to IFRS 3);

§ Interest Rate Benchmark Reform (Amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7);

§ COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions (Amendments to IFRS 16);

§ IAS 1 Presentation of financial statements, and IAS 8 Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors (Amendment - Definition of Material); and

§ Revisions to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting.

 

There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early.

 

The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 January 2022:

 

§ Onerous Contracts - Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37);

§ Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16);

§ Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 (Amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IFRS 16 and IAS 41); and

§ References to Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3).

 

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the Standards and Interpretations listed above will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group in future periods.

Beyond the information above, it is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate of the effect of these standards until a detailed review has been completed.

 

2.3  Basis of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements comprise the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries drawn up to 31 March 2021.

 

An entity is classed as a subsidiary of the Company when as a result of contractual arrangements, the Company has the power to govern its financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

 

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is measured, as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange. Identifiable assets acquired and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interest. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group's share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value, the difference is recognised directly in the income statement.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.3  Basis of consolidation (continued)

 

Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where material to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group. Although the subsidiaries in Brazil and China and the joint operations in the USA and Canada all have December year ends, the Group uses management accounts to the end of March to prepare the Group accounts.

 

Subsidiaries are wholly consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

 

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation.

 

The Group initially recognised any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the acquiree's net assets. For each business combination, the Group elects whether to measure the non-controlling interests in the acquiree at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and included in administrative expenses.The Group has not elected to take the option to use fair value in acquisitions completed to date.

 

Profit or loss and each component of Other Comprehensive Income are attributed to the equity holders of the parent of the Group and to the non-controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

 

2.4  Segment reporting

 

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments has been identified as the Board.

 

2.5  Foreign currency translation

 

(a)  Functional and presentation currency

 

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ("functional currency"). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling, which is the Company's functional and the Group's presentation currency.

 

(b)  Transactions and balances

 

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Pounds Sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the date of the financial statements.

 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at period end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement within administrative expenses.

 

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowing and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the income statement within administrative expenses.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.5  Foreign currency translation (continued)

 

(c)  Group companies

 

The results and financial position of all Group entities that have a functional currency different from the Group's functional and presentation currency are translated into the Group's functional and presentation currency as follows;

 

· assets and liabilities for each Statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing exchange rate at the date of the Statement of financial position;

· income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case the income and expenses are translated at the rate on the dates of the transaction; and

· all resulting exchange differences are recognised through other comprehensive income as a separate component of equity.

 

When a foreign operation is partially disposed or sold, exchange differences that were recognised in equity are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale. Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are

treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing exchange rate.

 

2.6  Financial instruments

 

Financial assets

The Group's financial assets comprise mainly trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position. These financial assets arise principally from the provision of goods to customers and are measured at amortised cost.

 

Impairment provisions for current and non-current trade receivables are recognised based on the simplified approach within IFRS 9 using a provision matrix in the determination of the lifetime expected credit losses. During this process, the probability of the non-payment of the trade receivables is assessed. This probability is then multiplied by the amount of the expected loss arising from default to determine the lifetime expected credit loss for the trade receivables. For trade receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded in a separate provision account with the loss being recognised within Administrative expenses in the consolidated income statement. On confirmation that the trade receivable will not be collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision.

 

Impairment provisions for receivables from related parties and loans to related parties are recognised based on a forward looking expected credit loss model. The methodology used to determine the amount of the provision is based on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition of the financial asset. For those where the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition of the financial asset, twelve month expected credit losses along with gross interest income are recognised. For those for which credit risk has increased significantly, lifetime expected credit losses along with the gross interest income are recognised. For those that are determined to be credit impaired, lifetime expected credit losses along with interest income on a net basis are recognised.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.6  Financial instruments (continued)

 

Financial liabilities

The Group's financial liabilities comprise mainly trade and other payables and bank overdrafts in the consolidated statement of financial position. These financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost in accordance with IFRS 9.

 

2.7  Goodwill

 

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of an entity represents the excess of the costs of acquisition over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the entity recognised at the date of acquisition.

 

Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not subject to amortisation but is tested for impairment annually.

 

Negative goodwill arising on an acquisition is recognised directly in the income statement. On disposal of a subsidiary or a jointly controlled entity, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss recognised in the income statement on disposal. Goodwill arising before the date of transition to IFRS, on 1 April 2004, has been retained at the previous UK GAAP amounts, subject to being tested for impairment at that date. Goodwill written off to reserves under UK GAAP prior to 1998 has not been reinstated and is not included in determining any subsequent profit or loss on disposal.

 

2.8  Other intangible assets

 

IAS 38 - Intangible Assets includes guidance on the accounting for Research and Development expenditure. Such an intangible asset is a resource that is controlled by the entity as a result of past events (for example, purchase or self-creation) and from which future economic benefits (inflows of cash or other assets) are expected. The three critical attributes of an intangible asset are:

 

· identifiability

· control (power to obtain benefits from the asset)

· future economic benefits (such as revenues or reduced future costs)

 

Identifiability

An intangible asset is identifiable when it:

 

· is separable (capable of being separated and sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, either individually or together with a related contract) or

· arises from contractual or other legal rights, regardless of whether those rights are transferable or separable from the entity or from other rights and obligations.

 

Development expenditure - whether purchased or self-created (internally generated) is an example of an intangible asset, governed under IAS 38.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.8  Other intangible assets (continued)

 

Recognition criteria

IAS 38 requires an entity to recognise an intangible asset (at cost) if, and only if:

 

· it is probable that the future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity; and

· the cost of the asset can be measured reliably.

 

IAS 38 includes additional recognition criteria for internally generated intangible assets.

 

Expenditure on the research phase of an internal project is expensed as incurred. Expenditure in the development phase of an internal project is capitalised if the entity can demonstrate:

 

a)  the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale.

b)  its intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it.

c)  its ability to use or sell the intangible asset.

d)  how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits. Among other things, the entity can demonstrate the existence of a market for the output of the intangible asset or the intangible asset itself or, if it is to be used internally, the usefulness of the intangible asset.

e)  the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset.

f)  its ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.

 

The probability of future economic benefits must be based on reasonable and supportable assumptions about conditions that will exist over the life of the asset.

 

If an entity cannot distinguish the research phase of an internal project to create an intangible asset from the development phase, the entity treats the expenditure for that project as if it were incurred in the research phase only.

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.8  Other intangible assets (continued)

 

The Group context of IAS 38

Since the early start-up stages of the business, the Group has and continues to invest significant expenditure in research and development into new animal treatments and therapies. This has resulted in a significant family of pharmaceutical treatments for pigs and poultry. Branded as Aivlosin, this product has developed over 20 years into treatments for multiple respiratory and intestinal infections - each of which have separate regulatory and marketing approvals in each target market. The work to bring Aivlosin from the laboratory to the commercial farm has moved through the classical phases of pharmaceutical development and the ECO Animal Health R&D model can be described by the following broad phases:

 

The discovery phase - in vitro, in laboratory

The proof of concept phase - key efficacy trials in small groups of animals

The exploratory development phase - optimisation of dose, economic validation

The full development phase - building the data set for dossier submission

Submission of an application for regulatory approval

Marketing and regulatory approval granted - commercial revenue begins

The application of the principles of IAS 38 to the above model is to treat expenditure on Research and Development as an expense until the likely commercial benefits that will flow from the project can be judged to be highly probable. This means that the technical feasibility (judged by reference to efficacy) must be certain, the economic feasibility (judged by reference to manufacturing methodology, market intelligence, overall programme cost) has to be highly probable and the likelihood of gaining regulatory approval must be judged to be highly probable. The Directors consider that capitalisation will generally commence once a project enters the full development phase.

 

In practice, work that is undertaken to build towards regulatory approval for a new treatment claim using Aivlosin (or other product) or an approval for marketing Aivlosin in a new geographical market can be viewed as starting at the full development phase  and are likely to meet the capitalisation criteria whereas costs in relation to some of the Group's more recently announced projects (for example the vaccine collaboration projects with The Pirbright Institute) would be considered to have not yet met the criteria for capitalisation and should have therefore been expensed. Such projects' costs are likely to meet the capitalisation requirements once they are approved internally to commence the full development phase, subject to careful consideration of residual technical feasibility/risk.

 

Amortisation of capitalised expenditure is determined with reference to the point at which regulatory approval is given to the product to which the expenditure relates.  For historic periods, the approach adopted has been to amalgamate the expenditure incurred on all projects relating to the same product, since the last regulatory approval and then identify the next nearest regulatory approval given for that product in either the same or a subsequent half-year.  Amortisation begins in the half-year following the receipt of regulatory approval.  A full six months of amortisation is charged in the first half-year for which costs are amortised.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.8  Other intangible assets (continued)

 

Where the Group has capitalised costs which relate to multiple products, a proportional method is adopted to determined what ratio of costs capitalised to date should be subject to amortisation.  This method first looks at capitalised costs that relate to specific products and identifies the proportion of such costs that are subject to amortisation at the end of any given half-year period.  The ratio thus calculated is then applied to those costs that relate to multiple products to determine the portion that should be subject to amortisation. 

 

These approaches have been modified where it is possible to allocate an individual capitalised cost to a single identifiable project.  In these cases the start date for amortisation is the half-year following the half-year period in which the project receives regulatory approval.  Where regulatory approval has not been received for a project, the amortisation has not started.

Amortisation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

 

Aivlosin                                     5% on cost

Ecomectin  10% on cost

Trade marks and patents  10% on cost

 

2.9  Property, plant and equipment and depreciation

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

 

Plant and machinery    10%-20% on cost

Fixtures, fittings and equipment             10%-20% on cost

Motor vehicles                                         25% on cost

 

Freehold land and buildings valuations are measured as a level 3 recurring fair value measurement. The property is professionally valued by a qualified surveyor at least once every three years. Surpluses (which are not reversals of previous deficits) arising from the periodic valuations are taken to other comprehensive income, and deficits (which are not reversals of previous surpluses) are taken to the income statement within administrative expenses. Depreciation is provided at a rate calculated to expense the valuation less estimated residual value over the remaining useful life of the building at a rate of 2% per annum on a straight line basis. Land is not depreciated.

 

2.10  Impairment of non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Group's assets are reviewed at each year end, to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated in order to determine the impairment loss if any. The recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value and its value in use. For intangible assets with an indefinite useful life or not available for use, an impairment test is performed at each year end.

 

In assessing value in use, the expected future cashflows from the asset are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.10  Impairment of non-financial assets (continued)

 

An impairment loss is recognised in the income statement whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount.

 

A previously recognised impairment loss for costs other than goodwill is reversed if the recoverable amount increases as a result of a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount, but not to an amount higher than the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognised in prior years and no reversal of impairment losses recognised on goodwill.

 

2.11  Investment property

 

Investment property is property held either to earn rental income or for capital appreciation or for both, but not for sale in the ordinary course of business, use in the production or supply of goods or services or for administrative purposes. Investment property is measured at fair value as a level 3 recurring fair value measurement.

 

The property is professionally valued by a qualified surveyor at least once every three years. Surpluses and deficits arising from the periodic valuations are taken to the income statement within administrative expenses.

 

2.12  Investments in subsidiaries

 

An investment in a subsidiary is where the Group own a controlling interest in an entity.  Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less impairment in the Parent Company's statement of financial position.

 

Other non-current asset investments are stated at fair value. They are recognised or derecognised on the date when the contract for acquisition or disposal requires the delivery of that investment.

 

 

An impairment is recognised in profit or loss when there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired and is measured as the difference between the investment's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cashflows discounted at the effective interest rate adjusted for a risk premium. Impairment losses are reversed in subsequent periods when an increase in the investment's recoverable amount can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, subject to the restriction that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed shall not exceed what the amortised costs would have been had the impairment not been recognised.

 

2.13  Joint Arrangements

 

A joint arrangement is a contractual arrangement whereby the Group and other parties undertake an economic activity that is subject to joint control; that is, when the strategic financial and operating policy decisions relating to the activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.13  Joint Arrangements (continued)

 

The group classifies its interests in joint arrangements as either:

 

-  Joint ventures: where the group has rights to only the net assets of the joint arrangement

-  Joint operations: where the group has both the rights to assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangement.

 

In assessing the classification of interests in joint arrangements, the Group considers:

-  The structure of the joint arrangement

-  The legal form of joint arrangements structured through a separate vehicle

-  The contractual terms of the joint arrangement agreement

-  Any other facts and circumstances (including any other contractual arrangements).

 

The Group has interests in joint operations. The Group recognises its share of the assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cashflows of joint operations combined with the equivalent items in the consolidated financial statements on a line by line basis.

 

2.14  Investments in Associates

 

An associate is an entity in which an investor has significant influence but not control or joint control. Significant influence is defined as "the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions but not to control them".

 

The Group reports its interests in associates using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, an equity investment is initially recorded at cost (subject to initial fair value adjustment if acquired as part of the acquisition of a subsidiary) and is subsequently adjusted

to reflect the Group's share of the net profit or loss of the associate. If the Group's share of losses of an associate equals or exceeds its "interest in the associate", the Group discontinues recognising its share of further losses. If the associate subsequently reports profits, the investor resumes recognising its share of those profits only after its share of the profits equals the share of losses not recognised.

 

2.15  Leasing

 

The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

 

The Group applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases under IFRS 16, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets.

 

Right-of-use assets

The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease, which is the date the underlying asset is available for use. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any re-measurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received. Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.15  Leasing (continued)

 

If ownership of the leased asset transfers to the Group at the end of the lease term or the cost reflects the exercise of a purchase option, depreciation is calculated using the estimated useful life of the asset.

 

The right-of-use assets are also subject to impairment. Refer to the accounting policies in the section 2.10 for further details.

 

Lease liabilities

At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease liabilities include the present value of the following lease payments:

 

fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;

variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;

amounts expected to be payable by the Group under residual value guarantees;

the exercise price of a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and

payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising that option.

 

Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the liability.

 

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee's incremental borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is re-measured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the lease payments (for example, changes to future payments resulting from a change in an index or rate used to determine such lease payments) or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset.

 

The Group is exposed to potential future increases in variable lease payments based on an index or rate, which are not included in the lease liability until they take effect. When adjustments to lease payments based on an index or rate take effect, the lease liability is reassessed and adjusted against the right-of-use asset.

 

Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period.

 

Extension and termination options

Extension and termination options are included in a number of property and equipment leases across the Group. These are used to maximise operational flexibility in terms of managing the assets used in the Group's operations. The majority of extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the respective lessor.

 

The Group applies judgement in evaluating whether it is reasonably certain whether or not to exercise the option to renew or terminate the lease. That is, it considers all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for it to exercise either the renewal or termination. After the commencement date, the Group reassesses the lease term if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that is within its control and affects its ability to exercise or not to exercise the option to renew or to terminate.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.15  Leasing (continued)

 

Recognition exemptions

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases, being those leases that have a lease term of twelve months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option.

 

The Group also applies the recognition exemption to leases of which the underlying asset is of low value, comprising assets below the Group's capitalisation threshold. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Practical expedients

The Group applies a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics.

 

2.16  Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined using the historical batch price of the principal raw materials and the weighted average cost for other ingredients and other product costs. The cost of finished goods comprises raw materials, packaging costs and sub-contracted manufacturing costs. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less any costs which would be incurred in completing the goods ready for sale.

 

2.17  Trade receivables

 

Trade receivables are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Trade receivables are presented net of discounts or other variable consideration adjustments earned, where the expectation and intention is to settle the balance net. Impairment provisions are recognised based on the simplified approach in accordance with IFRS 9 using a provision matrix in the determination of the lifetime expected credit losses. See impairment section in section '2.6 Financial instruments' for more details.

 

2.18  Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held on call with banks, other short‑term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the statement of financial position.

 

For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, bank overdrafts are included in the presentation of cash and cash equivalents.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.19  Financial liabilities and equity

 

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.

 

2.20  Bank borrowings and loans

 

Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded as the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs (which equate to fair value). Finance charges including premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue costs are accounted for on an amortised cost basis in profit or loss using the effective interest rate method and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

 

2.21  Trade payables

 

Trade payables are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

 

2.22  Provisions

 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that the Group will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are measured at the Directors' best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation outstanding at the year end and are discounted to present value where the effect is material.

 

2.23  Revenue recognition

 

Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of the Group's activities. The Group's revenue is principally derived from selling goods with revenue recognised at a point in time when control of the goods has transferred to the customer.

 

Revenue is shown net of value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts and after eliminating sales within the Group. Transaction price is determined by the contract and variable consideration relating to discounts, free goods or volume rebates have been constrained in estimating contract revenue that is highly probable by using the most likely amount method.

 

The Group's contracts for delivery of goods are less than 12 months, there are no warranties within its sales contracts.

 

Revenue is recognised when the performance obligation is fulfilled and the amount can be measured reliably.  The performance obligation is fulfilled when control of the goods passes to the customer, which is normally in accordance with Incoterms or receipt by customer. No goods are dispatched on a sale or return basis. Distributors trade on their own account and not as agents.

 

The Group also receives interest and royalty income, which are recognised on an accruals basis.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.24  Pensions

 

Defined Contribution Scheme

The pension costs charged against operating profits represent the amount of the contributions payable to the schemes in respect of the accounting period.

 

Defined Benefit Scheme

The regular cost of providing retirement pensions and related benefits is charged to the income statement over the employees' service lives on the basis of a constant percentage of earnings. The present value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of the plan assets is disclosed as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position in accordance with IAS 19. The disclosure of a net defined benefit asset is limited to the present value of any economic benefit available in the form of refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. Actuarial gains or losses are recognised through other comprehensive income.

 

2.25  Share-based payments

The Group issues equity-settled share options to certain employees in exchange for services from those employees. Equity-settled share options are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non market based vesting conditions) at the date of grant.

 

The fair value determined at the grant date of such equity-settled share options is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group's estimate of shares that will eventually vest and adjusted for the effect of non-market based vesting conditions (with a corresponding movement in equity).

 

Fair value is measured by use of the Black-Scholes model. The expected life used in the model has been established based on management's best estimate of the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behaviour considerations.

 

Further details of the inputs to the Black-Scholes model can be found in note 24 to the accumulating share based payment charges in reserves. Share-based payment charges are credited to retained earnings only; the share-based payment reserve account balance is subsumed within retained earnings.

 

2.26  Taxation

Tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax.

 

Current tax, including UK corporation tax and foreign tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the year end. Tax expenses are recognised in profit or loss or other comprehensive income according to the treatment of the transactions which give rise to them.

 

Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amount in the financial statements.

 

Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted, or substantially enacted, by the date of the statement of financial position and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or deferred tax liability is settled.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.26  Taxation (continued)

 

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

 

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

IFIRC 23 provides guidance on the accounting for current and deferred tax liabilities and assets in circumstances in which there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The interpretation requires:

 

§ The Group to determine whether uncertain tax treatments should be considered separately, or together as a group, based on which approach provides better predictions of the resolution;

§ The Group to determine if it is probable that the tax authorities will accept the uncertain tax treatment; and

§ If it is not probable that the uncertain tax treatment will be accepted, measure the tax uncertainty based on the most likely amount or expected value, depending on whichever method better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty. The measurement is required to be based on the assumption that each of the tax authorities will examine amounts they have a right to examine and have full knowledge of all related information when making those examinations.

 

2.27  Equity

 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

 

Amounts arising on the restructuring of equity and reserves to protect creditor interests are credited to the capital redemption reserve.

 

Amounts arising from share-based payment expenses recorded in the Group's results are recorded within retained earnings.

 

The cost of its own shares bought into treasury by the Company is debited to retained earnings as required by the Companies Act 2006. A subsequent sale of these shares would result in this entry being wholly or partly reversed with any profit on the sale being credited to Share Premium.

 

Amounts arising from the revaluation of non-monetary assets and liabilities held in foreign subsidiaries, and joint operations are held within the foreign exchange revaluation reserve.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.28  Non-controlling interest

 

For each business combination, the Group elects to measure any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at their proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. Changes in the Group's interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as transactions with owners in their capacity as owner. Adjustments to non-controlling interests are based on a proportionate amount of the net assets of the subsidiary. No adjustments are made to goodwill and no gain or loss is recognised in the statement of profit or loss.

 

2.29  Dividend distribution

 

Dividends are recorded when they become a legal obligation of the Company. For final dividends, this will be when they are approved by the shareholders at the AGM. For interim dividends, this will be when they have been paid. 

 

2.30  Critical accounting estimates and judgements

 

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:

 

Capitalisation and impairment review of intangible assets

The Group assesses development costs incurred for capitalisation in accordance with the requirements of IAS38 and the Group's accounting policy described in note 2.8. The stage of development and assessment of technical and commercial feasibility, in particular, require the use of judgements and estimates in consultation with the new product development team.

 

The Group tests annually whether intangible assets with indefinite life, or not yet available for use, have suffered any impairment. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when an indication of potential impairment exists. Impairment provisions are recorded as applicable based on Directors' estimates of recoverable values.

 

The recoverable amounts of the Cash Generating Units (CGU's) to which intangible assets are allocated are determined from value in use calculations. The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding discount rates, growth rates and the estimated remaining useful life of the asset. The Group also reviews and quantifies the tax implications related to any recognised impairments and these are included within tax calculations as appropriate.

 

Further details of the impairment reviews performed can be found in note 12 of the financial statements.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.30  Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

 

Income taxes

The Group is subject to income taxes predominantly in the United Kingdom but also in other jurisdictions.

 

Significant judgements are required in determining the provision for income taxes including the use of tax losses and in estimating deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses or credits. There are some transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain, including tax credits for research and development expenditures. The Group recognises assets and liabilities based on estimates of the final agreed position.

 

Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.

 

Deferred tax assets on timing differences are recognised to the extent by which the Directors estimate that future profits will be generated to utilise the underlying costs or losses to which they relate.

 

Pension scheme

The Group maintains one defined benefit pension scheme which has been accounted for according to the provisions of IAS 19. Although the assumptions were determined by a qualified actuary, any change in those assumptions may materially impact the financial position and results of the Group. Details of the assumptions used can be found in note 23 of the financial statements.

 

Share-based payments

The charge to the Income Statement in respect of share-based payments has been externally calculated using management's best estimates of the amount of options expected to vest and various other inputs to the Black-Scholes valuation model, as disclosed in note 24. Variations in those assumptions in the model may have a material impact on the Group's results and financial position at the time of valuation.

 

Leases - estimating the incremental borrowing rate

Where the Group cannot readily determine the interest rate implicit in the lease, it uses its incremental borrowing rate (IBR) to measure lease liabilities. The IBR is the rate of interest that the Group would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment. The IBR therefore reflects what the Group 'would have to pay', which requires estimation when no observable rates are available or when they need to be adjusted to reflect the terms and conditions of the lease.

 

In practice, the Group considered the following aspects in the assessment of IBR. Once decided, the IBR will remain unchanged unless there are modifications in lease terms or changes in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset.

 

A base rate that reflects economic environment and the term of the lease. This is mainly derived from the yield of a government bond issued by the country in which the Group has in scope leases. Where the term of the lease does not conform with the maturity period of the bond, the Group considered other available information such as yields on the bonds with the nearest maturity period, or the yield curve published by the country's treasury department. Considering there is often a difference in the cash flow profile between a lease and government bond, the Group has decided to reduce the base rate by 0.05% to 0.10%.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2.30 Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

 

Financing factors that reflect the lessee companies' risk premium on borrowing. Management considered the financial strength and credit risk of the lessee companies and has estimated the credit spread to be in the range of 1.50% to 5.00%.

 

Asset factors that reflect the quality of hypothetical security. Depending on the location and type of underlying assets, the Group expects the quality of security in this hypothetical borrowing transaction to vary. For example, the right to use a warehouse in rural areas may provide less relevant security compared to commercial office in a major city's central business district. Based on the Group's assessment, the asset factor ranges between - 0.45% to - 0.50%.  

 

The weighted average of the discount rates applied by the Group is as follows:

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

Property

 

5.9%

5.9%

Vehicle

 

29.0%

29.0%

Other

 

4.0%

4.0%

Weighted average

 

7.2%

7.1%

 

Fair value measurement

A number of assets and liabilities included in the Group's financial statements require measurement, and/or disclosure of, fair value.

 

The fair value measurement of the Group's financial and non-financial assets and liabilities utilises market observable inputs and data as far as possible. Inputs used in determining fair value measurements are categorised into different levels based on how observable the inputs used in the valuation technique utilised are (the 'fair value hierarchy'):

 

Level 1 : Quoted prices in active markets for identical items (unadjusted)

Level 2 : Observable direct or indirect inputs other than Level 1 inputs

Level 3 : Unobservable inputs (i.e. not derived from market data).

 

The classification of an item into the above levels is based on the lowest level of inputs used that has a significant effect on the fair value measurement of the item.

 

The Group measures a number of items at fair value, including:

 

§ Land and buildings (note 13);

§ Investment property (note 14);

§ Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (note 23);

§ Share-based payments (note 24); and

§ Initial recognition of financial instruments (note 32).

 

For more detailed information in relation to the fair value measure of the items above please refer to the applicable notes.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

3.  Prior year restatement

 

Development costs capitalisation reassessment

 

The Group recognises certain costs as intangible assets, including costs relating to the development of drugs registration, patents, licenses, and distribution rights. Prior to recognising these intangible assets, the Group assesses the assets for attributes including identifiability, control, and future economic benefits as set out in note 2.8 of these financial statements.

 

For the year ended 31 March 2020 annual report and accounts, the Directors performed a detailed exercise to re-visit all prior periods' capitalised development costs, in order to determine which costs met the capitalisation criteria at the date they were incurred, based on all available accounting records and information, and recorded a prior period adjustment to expense all such costs which did not meet the capitalisation criteria. The Directors applied estimates of what proportion of capitalised development costs should have been expensed, for periods prior to 2014, where all applicable accounting records could not be located in the available time before the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts were signed. Those estimates were consistent with the proportion of capitalised costs subsequently expensed as part of the overall prior year adjustment exercise, which considered all prior periods' capitalised development costs, for more recent periods where accounting records were available and reviewed.

 

For the year ended 31 March 2021 annual report and accounts, the Directors revisited costs in respect of periods prior to 2014 and completed their search for all available evidence. The Directors also completed their search and provision of evidence to support the capitalisation of costs, incurred during the periods from 2014 to 31 March 2018, for audit purposes.

 

There were certain staff costs capitalised between 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2013 where there were insufficient records to support the time spent by certain development staff on projects qualifying for capitalisation.

 

For assets recognised prior to 31 March 2011, only limited records were available, and it was not possible to definitively support the original recognition of these assets. The Directors concluded, after extensive efforts, that it is no longer possible to locate or reconstruct these records.

 

As the Directors identified errors in the capitalisation of costs where sufficient records are still available, they reconsidered the requirements of IAS 8 for those costs for which sufficient records are not available (i.e. all costs prior to 31 March 2011 and staff costs prior to 31 March 2013) as they consider it is likely that further errors were made but the lack of records make it impracticable to fully quantify the errors.

 

The Directors concluded that, given the practical limitations to full retrospective restatement to correct the errors and the requirements of IAS 8 where such limitations exist, it is appropriate to retrospectively de-recognise any capitalised development cost balances in the balance sheet relating to the period before 31 March 2011 and any development staff costs prior to 31 March 2013. It is not practicable to determine what balances should have been recognised in their place.

 

In order to reflect the impact of this final exercise, a revision to the prior period adjustment in respect of development costs recorded in the 31 March 2020 Annual Report, has been required.

 

As a result, the Group has de-recognised all intangible assets relating to drugs registration, patents, licenses, and distribution rights recognised prior to 31 March 2011 and the aforementioned intangible assets relating to certain development staff costs capitalised between 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2013.  The effect is equivalent to these assets not having been recognised originally.

 

The prior year restatement did not have an impact on the individual financial statements of the Company.

 

The impact of the prior year restatement on the Group's financial statements is detailed below.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

3.  Prior year restatement (continued)

 

Impact on the Group consolidated income statement for the year to 31 March 2020

 

 

As
reported

Adjustments

As
restated

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Revenue

72,106

-

72,106

Cost of sales

(38,742)

-

(38,742)

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

33,364

-

33,364

 

 

 

 

Other income

105

-

105

Administrative expenses

(28,274)

940

(27,334)

 

 

 

 

Profit from operating activities

5,195

940

6,135

 

 

 

 

Finance income

112

-

112

Finance costs

(142)

-

(142)

Net finance (expense)/income

(30)

-

(30)

 

 

 

 

Share of profit of associate

42

 

42

 

42

-

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

5,207

940

6,147

Income tax charge

(1,032)

373

(659)

Profit for the year

4,175

1,313

5,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit attributable to:

 

 

 

Owners of the parent Company

2,582

1,313

3,895

Non-controlling interest

1,593

-

1,593

Profit for the year

4,175

1,313

5,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share (pence)

3.82

1.95

5.77

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

3.67

1.87

5.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation, Share Based Payments and Foreign Exchange Differences

8,362

-

8,362

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

3.  Prior year restatement (continued)

 

Impact on the Group statement of comprehensive income for the year to 31 March 2020

 

 

As
reported

Adjustments

As
restated

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Profit for the year

4,175

1,313

5,488

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income/(losses) net of related tax effects:

 

 

 

Revaluation of freehold property

(92)

-

(92)

Foreign currency translation differences

98

-

98

Deferred tax on property revaluations

-

-

-

Remeasurement of defined benefit pension schemes

12

-

12

Other comprehensive income/(losses) for the year

18

-

18

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

4,193

1,313

5,506

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

Owners of the parent Company

2,561

1,313

3,874

Non-controlling interest

1,632

-

1,632

 

4,193

1,313

5,506

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

3.  Prior year restatement (continued)

 

Impact on consolidated Statement of financial position

 

2020 as reported

Adjustments

2020 as
restated

2019 as reported

Adjustments

2019 as restated

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

41,439

(5,419)

36,020

41,009

(6,359)

34,650

Property, plant and equipment

2,426

-

2,426

2,144

-

2,144

Investment property

305

-

305

200

-

200

Right-of-use assets

1,658

-

1,658

1,675

-

1,675

Investments

166

-

166

116

-

116

Amounts due from subsidiary Company

-

-

-

-

-

-

Deferred tax assets

-

 

-

-

-

-

Total non-current assets

45,994

(5,419)

40,575

45,144

(6,359)

38,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

17,264

-

17,264

19,477

-

19,477

Trade and other receivables

28,353

-

28,353

23,333

-

23,333

Income tax recoverable

1,265

-

1,265

827

-

827

Other taxes and social security

652

-

652

462

-

462

Cash and cash equivalents

11,877

-

11,877

16,863

-

16,863

Total current assets

59,411

-

59,411

60,962

-

60,962

TOTAL ASSETS

105,405

(5,419)

99,986

106,106

(6,359)

99,747

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

(14,486)

-

(14,486)

(13,363)

-

(13,363)

Borrowings

(2,032)

-

(2,032)

-

-

-

Income tax payable

(940)

-

(940)

(816)

-

(816)

Other taxes and social security

-

-

-

(533)

-

(533)

Lease liabilities

(342)

-

(342)

(330)

-

(330)

Dividends

(50)

-

(50)

(49)

-

(49)

Current liabilities

(17,850)

-

(17,850)

(15,091)

-

(15,091)

Net current assets/(liabilities)

41,561

-

41,561

45,871

-

45,871

Total assets less current liabilities

87,555

(5,419)

82,136

91,015

(6,359)

84,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax

(636)

373

(263)

-

-

-

Lease liabilities

(1,424)

-

(1,424)

(1,440)

-

(1,440)

TOTAL ASSETS LESS TOTAL LIABILITIES

85,495

(5,046)

80,449

89,575

(6,359)

83,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued share capital

3,377

-

3,377

3,372

-

3,372

Share premium account

62,882

-

62,882

62,650

-

62,650

Revaluation reserve

572

-

572

664

-

664

Other reserves

106

-

106

106

-

106

Foreign exchange reserve

526

-

526

467

-

467

Retained earnings

12,266

(5,046)

7,220

17,214

(6,359)

10,855

Shareholders' funds

79,729

(5,046)

74,683

84,473

(6,359)

78,114

Non-controlling interests

5,766

-

5,766

5,102

-

5,102

Total equity

85,495

(5,046)

80,449

89,575

(6,359)

83,216

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

3.  Prior year restatement (continued)

 

Impact on the Group statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2020:

 

As
reported

Adjustments

As
restated

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) before income tax

5,207

940

6,147

Adjustment for:

 

 

 

Finance income

(112)

-

(112)

Finance cost

142

-

142

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

62

-

62

Depreciation

334

-

334

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

389

-

389

Revaluation of investment property

(64)

-

(64)

Amortisation of intangible assets

1,685

(940)

745

Share of associate's results

(42)

-

(42)

Impairment of investments

-

-

-

Share based charge

284

-

284

Dividends received

-

-

-

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

-

7,885

 

 

 

 

Change in inventories

2,212

-

2,212

Change in receivables

(5,209)

-

(5,209)

Change in payables

603

-

603

Cash generated from operations

5,491

-

5,491

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

(17)

-

(17)

Income tax

(1,076)

-

(1,076)

Net cash from operating activities

4,398

-

4,398

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

(767)

-

(767)

Disposal of property, plant and equipment

-

-

-

Purchase of intangibles

(2,115)

-

(2,115)

Finance income

112

-

112

Dividends received

-

-

-

Net cash (used in)/from investing activities

(2,770)

-

(2,770)

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings (note 20)

2,032

(2,032)

-

Proceeds from issue of share capital

237

-

237

Interest paid on lease liabilities

(125)

-

(125)

Principal paid on lease liabilities

(364)

-

(364)

Dividends paid

(8,421)

-

(8,421)

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities

(6,641)

(2,032)

(8,673)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(5,013)

(2,032)

(7,045)

Foreign exchange movements

27

-

27

Balance at the beginning of the period

16,863

-

16,863

Balance at the end of the period

11,877

(2,032)

9,845

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

4.  Segment information

 

Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Board to make strategic decisions. The Board considers the business from a geographical perspective. Geographically, management considers the performance in the Corporate/UK, China and Japan, North America, South and South East Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Rest of the World.

Revenues are geographically allocated by the destination of customer.

 

The performance of these geographical segments is measured using Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation ("Adjusted EBITDA*"), adjusted to exclude share based payments expenses.

 

 

 

 

Corporate
/U.K.

China & Japan

North America

S & SE Asia

Latin America

Europe

Rest of World

Total

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Year ended 31 March 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue from external customers

1,471

58,906

13,887

9,118

14,265

6,580

1,380

105,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of goods

1,471

58,906

13,887

9,118

14,265

6,580

1,204

105,431

Royalties

-

-

-

-

-

-

176

176

 

1,471

58,906

13,887

9,118

14,265

6,580

1,380

105,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA**

(17,644)

26,080

4,973

3,390

3,260

1,597

515

22,171

Total Assets

33,136

59,568

8,109

3,165

9,641

2,250

754

116,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended 31 March 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue from external customers

1,768

23,148

11,635

14,175

12,601

7,590

1,189

72,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of goods

1,768

23,148

11,635

14,175

12,601

7,590

1,032

71,949

Royalties

-

-

-

-

-

-

157

157

 

1,768

23,148

11,635

14,175

12,601

7,590

1,189

72,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA**

(15,011)

6,499

4,196

6,266

2,286

2,951

636

7,823

Total Assets - restated

25,504

31,417

17,212

7,968

12,355

4,585

945

99,986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the year, the revenue from sales to one particular customer in the 'China & Japan' segment was £15,692,000 (2020: £5,898,000), which is greater than 10 percent of the revenue of the Group.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets are initially allocated to the geographical segments on the basis of the proportion of sales achieved by each segment.

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

4. Segment information (continued)

 

A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA for reportable segments to profit from operating activities is provided as follows:

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Restated*

Adjusted EBITDA for reportable segments

 

 

 

22,171

7,823

Depreciation

 

 

 

(430)

(334)

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

 

 

 

(403)

(389)

Revaluation of investment property

 

 

 

-

64

Amortisation

 

 

 

(898)

(745)

Share-based payment charges

 

 

 

(123)

(284)

Profit from operating activities

 

 

 

20,317

6,135

 

* Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

 

**Adjusted EBITDA reported for the segments includes foreign exchange gains and losses. The Adjusted EBITDA for the Group is presented in note 6.

 

Product Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aivlosin

 

 

 

 

 

87,549

60,686

Ecomectin

 

 

 

 

 

4,234

3,951

Others

 

 

 

 

 

13,824

7,469

Total

 

 

 

 

 

105,607

72,106

 

Contract Balances

 

 

2021

2020

Within one year or on demand

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

At 1 April

594

847

Amounts included in contract liabilities that was recognised as revenue during the period

(594)

(847)

Cash received in advance of performance and not recognised as revenue during the period

2,155

594

At 31 March

2,155

594

 

The Group recognised contract liabilities of £2,155,000 at 31 March 2021 (2020: £594,000). The Group does not hold any long term sales contracts and any rebates, discounts or free goods incentives are settled and recognised as revenue within the next accounting period. Contract balances are reported within trade and other payables on the Statement of Financial Position.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

5.  Other income

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management charges

 

-

7

Sundry income

 

319

98

 

 

319

105

 

6.  Result from operating activities

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Notes

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

Restated*

Result from operating activities is stated after charging/(crediting):

 

 

 

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

 

51,864

38,381

Employee benefits expenses

 

14,867

9,968

Amortisation of intangible assets

12

898

745

Depreciation

13

430

334

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

15

403

389

Revaluation of investment property

14

-

(64)

Loss/(gain) on foreign exchange transactions

 

2,230

539

Research and development

 

8,072

8,775

Impairment losses on trade receivables

 

(65)

139

Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the parent Company and Group annual accounts

 

442

54

Fees payable to the Company's auditor and its associates for the audit of the Company's subsidiaries

 

475

47

 

Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the parent Company and Group annual accounts, for the year ended 31 March 2021, were £350,000 (2020: £414,000), and fees payable to the Company's auditor and its associates for the audit of the Company's subsidiaries were £48,000 (2020: £460,000).

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's
Restated*

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment, share-based payments and foreign exchange differences (adjusted EBITDA)

 

 

 

Profit from operating activities

 

20,317

6,135

Depreciation

 

430

334

Amortisation of right-of-use assets

 

403

389

Revaluation of investment property

 

-

(64)

Amortisation

 

898

745

Share-based payments

 

123

284

 

 

22,171

7,823

Foreign exchange differences

 

2,230

539

Adjusted EBITDA

 

24,401

8,362

 

* Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

6.  Result from operating activities (continued)

 

Management believe that adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure of the Group's performance as it is the initial source for all re-investment and for all returns to shareholders. Investors, bankers and analysts all focus on this important measure of underlying performance because it enables them to make judgements about the Group's ability to generate sufficient cash to meet all the re-investment needs of the business while still providing adequate returns to shareholders. Therefore, adjusted EBITDA has a direct relationship with the value of the Group and is seen by our investors as a Key Performance Indicator for management.

 

The following items are adjusted for in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA as defined by the Group.

 

Item

Rationale for Adjustment

 

 

Depreciation and Amortisation

These items are a result of past investments and therefore, although they are correctly recorded as a cost of the business, they do not reflect current or future cash outflows.

Additionally, Depreciation and Amortisation calculations are subject to judgement regarding useful lives and residual values of particular assets and the adjustment removes the element of judgement.

 

Revaluation of Investment Property

These are subject to judgement and do not reflect cash flows.

 

Gains and Losses on Disposal of Fixed Assets and Impairment of Intangibles

These items are a result of past investments and therefore, although they are correctly recorded as income or cost of the business, they do not reflect current or future cash outflows.

 

Share Based Payments

This item is subject to judgement and will never be reflected in the Group's cash flows.

 

Foreign Exchange differences

Since the key driver of this figure is the revaluation of monetary assets denominated in foreign currency at the period end, which may reverse prior to settlement, taking this figure out of the EBITDA figure removes volatility from the performance measure. Foreign exchange movements are largely outside of the Group's control, so this gives a better measure of the Group's progress than statutory profit measures which include them.

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

7.  Finance income/(expense)

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's

Finance income

 

 

 

Interest received on short term bank deposits

 

129

112

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

(79)

(18)

Interest paid on lease liabilities

 

(121)

(124)

 

 

(200)

(142)

 

 

(71)

(30)

 

8.  Earnings per share

 

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the post-tax profit for the year divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.

 

 

2021

 

2020 Restated*

 

Earnings

Weighted average number of shares

Per share amount

 

Earnings

Weighted average number of shares

Per share amount

 

£000's

000's

pence

 

£000's

000's

pence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders on continuing operations after tax

8,158

67,559

12.08

 

3,895

67,530

5.77

Dilutive effect of share options

-

44

(0.01)

 

-

2,783

(0.23)

Diluted earnings per share

8,158

67,603

12.07

 

3,895

70,313

5.54

 

Diluted earnings per share takes into account the dilutive effect of share options.

 

* Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

9.  Taxation

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's
Restated*

Current tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign corporation tax on profits for the year

 

5,921

1,520

Withholding tax on intercompany dividend

 

31

54

Research and development tax credits claimed in the year

 

(1,569)

(1,000)

Research and development tax credits - adjustment for prior year

 

(752)

196

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax

 

 

 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

 

4

(186)

Due to change in effective rate

 

-

75

Income tax charge

 

3,635

659

 

 

 

 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

 

(84)

373

Due to change in effective rate

 

-

1

Deferred tax recognised through reserves

 

(84)

374

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

£000's

£000's
Restated*

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year

 

 

 

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation

 

20,284

6,147

 

 

 

 

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation multiplied by the applicable rate of UK corporation tax of 19% (2020: 19%)

 

3,854

1,168

Effects of:

 

 

 

Non-deductible expenses

 

326

165

Non-chargeable credits

 

(141)

(68)

Right-of-use assets depreciation

 

(40)

(35)

Withholding tax on inter-company dividends

 

31

54

Enhanced allowance on research and development expenditure

 

(990)

(560)

Adjustment in respect of prior years

 

(751)

(196)

Different tax rate for foreign subsidiaries

 

1,273

165

Reduced effective deferred tax rate

 

-

76

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

 

(116)

(346)

Unused tax losses carried forward

 

189

236

Income tax charge

 

3,635

659

 

 

 

 

 

* Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

 

 

 NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

9.  Taxation (continued)

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

%

%
Restated*

Applicable tax rate per UK legislation

 

19.00

19.00

Effects of:

 

 

 

Non-deductible expenses

 

1.61

2.69

Non-chargeable credits

 

(0.70)

(1.10)

Right-of-use assets depreciation

 

(0.20)

(0.56)

Withholding tax on inter-company dividends

 

0.15

0.88

Enhanced allowance on research and development expenditure

 

(8.58)

(12.30)

Adjustment in respect of prior years

 

(3.70)

(3.19)

Different tax rate for foreign subsidiaries

 

6.28

2.68

Reduced effective deferred tax rate

 

-

1.24

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

 

(0.57)

(5.63)

Unused tax losses carried forward

 

0.93

3.84

Effective tax rate

 

17.92

10.74

 

Future tax changes

 

On 5 March 2021 it was announced that the rate of UK corporation tax would be increased to 25% from 1 April 2023; however, at the reporting date of 31 March 2021, this change had not been substantively enacted. As such, the UK deferred tax assets and liabilities have been calculated based on the enacted rate of 19%.

 

At the year ended 31 March 2021 the Group had unused overseas tax losses amounting to £nil (2020: 3.8 million) for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised.

 

10.  Profit for the financial year

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Parent Company's profit/(loss) for the financial year

 

(903)

(151)

 

The Company has elected to take the exemption under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the Parent Company income statement.

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

11.  Dividends

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's

Cash dividends on ordinary shares declared and paid:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2019 at 4.0p per ordinary share (settled 12 April 2019)

 

-

2,698

Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2019 at 7.04p per ordinary share (settled 16 October 2019)

 

-

4,755

 

 

-

7,453

 

 

 

 

Proposed dividends on ordinary shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final dividend for the year end 31 March 2021 at 1.0p per ordinary share

 

677

-

 

The Board of Directors proposes that a dividend of 1.0p per ordinary share to be paid for the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020: £nil).

 

Proposed dividends on ordinary shares are subject to approval at the annual general meeting and are not recognised as a liability as at date of the Statement of Financial Position.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

12.  Intangible fixed assets

 

Group

Goodwill

Distribution rights

Drug registrations, patents and license costs

Total

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Cost

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2019 - as reported

17,930

1,442

39,470

58,842

Prior year adjustment

-

(1,035)

(18,608)

(19,643)

At 31 March 2019 - as restated

17,930

407

20,862

39,199

Additions

-

-

2,115

2,115

At 31 March 2020 - as restated

17,930

407

22,977

41,314

Additions

-

-

986

986

At 31 March 2021

17,930

407

23,963

42,300

 

 

 

 

 

Amortisation

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2019 - as reported

-

(735)

(17,098)

(17,833)

Prior year adjustment

-

635

12,649

13,284

At 31 March 2019 - as restated

-

(100)

(4,449)

(4,549)

Charge for the year

-

(70)

(1,615)

(1,685)

Prior year adjustment

-

50

890

940

At 31 March 2020 - as restated

-

(120)

(5,174)

(5,294)

Charge for the year

-

(19)

(879)

(898)

At 31 March 2021

-

(139)

(6,053)

(6,192)

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2021

17,930

268

17,910

36,108

At 31 March 2020 - as restated

17,930

287

17,803

36,020

At 31 March 2019 - as restated

17,930

307

16,413

34,650

 

The amortisation and impairment charges are included within administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

Distribution rights are amortised over their estimated useful life of 20 years and reviewed for impairment when any indication of potential impairment exists. The remaining amortisation period at the date of the financial statements ranged from 4 to 20 years.

 

Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

12.  Intangible fixed assets (continued)

 

The carrying value of goodwill is attributable to the following cash generating units:

 

Entity

Date of acquisition

2021 & 2020

 

 

£000's

 

 

 

ECO Animal Health Limited

1 October 2004

17,359

Zhejiang Eco Biok Animal Health Products Limited

1 April 2007

94

ECO Animal Health Japan Inc

24 December 2009

477

 

 

17,930

 

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated at acquisition to the cash generating units (CGU's) that are expected to benefit from the business combination.

 

The recoverable amounts of the CGU's are determined from value in use calculations. The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding discount rates, growth rates and the estimated remaining useful life of the asset.

 

The Group prepares cashflow forecasts that cover the two year period after the Statement of Financial Position date and then extrapolates them assuming a 3% annual growth rate which is well below the past performance of the business. The Directors believe that the long-term growth rate assumed does not exceed the average long-term growth rate for the relevant markets.

 

Management estimates discount rates using the pre-tax rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGU's. In the current year management estimated the applicable rate to be 8% (2020: 8%). Management considers that there is adequate headroom when comparing the net present value of the cashflows to the carrying value of goodwill to conclude that no impairment is necessary this year. On assumptions as at each period end the excess of recoverable amount over carrying value is over £76 million (2020: £130 million).

 

Management believes that the most significant assumption in the calculation of value in use is the estimated growth rate. However, even if the growth rate were to be zero, the recoverable amount would still be over £73 million (2020: £119 million) more than the carrying value and no impairment would be necessary.

 

The net book value of Drug registrations, patents and license costs can be broken down as follows:

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's
Restated*

 

 

 

 

Aivlosin

 

15,161

15,041

Ecomectin

 

2,466

2,449

Others

 

283

313

 

 

17,910

17,803

 

*Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year adjustment
 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

12.  Intangible fixed assets (continued)

 

Aivlosin is a highly effective antibiotic that treats a range of specific enteric (gut) and respiratory diseases in pigs and poultry, ensuring a rapid return to health. In addition to the welfare benefits, healthy animals gain weight faster, digest food more efficiently and get to market earlier which all bring economic benefit to the farmer. Substantial ongoing product development covering more formulations, species and diseases is expected to substantially further increase its revenue generating potential. The remaining useful life is from 4 to 20 years.

 

Ecomectin is an endectocide that controls worms, ticks, lice and mange in grazing stock and pigs. The remaining useful life is 0 to 10 years.

 

At 31 March 2021 Intangible assets included £5,791,000 (2020 restated: £4,822,000) of assets capitalised that had not commenced their useful life, of which approximately £4,909,000 (2020 restated: 3,985,000) were Aivlosin related products. The directors have conducted impairment reviews and no impairment is required. Following restatement, no impairment indicators have been identified in relation to intangible assets in commercial use.

 

 

Drug registrations and licences are amortised over their estimated useful lives of 10 to 20 years, which is the Directors' estimate of the time it would take to develop a new product allowing for the Group's patent protection and the exclusivity period which comes with certain registrations. All such costs are recorded in the UK/Corporate reporting segment.

 

The Directors have assessed the carrying value of intangible assets for indicators of value impairment for the year ended 31 March 2021 and have concluded that no impairment is necessary.

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

13.  Property, plant and equipment

 

Group

Freehold Land and Buildings

Leasehold improvements

Plant and Machinery

Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment

Motor Vehicles

Total

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Cost or valuation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

760

-

1,886

1,282

82

4,010

Additions

-

555

40

157

15

767

Disposals

-

-

-

(432)

(6)

(438)

Revaluation in the year

(145)

-

-

-

-

(145)

Reclassification

53

-

(937)

648

236

-

Foreign exchange movements

-

-

(3)

(5)

(16)

(24)

At 31 March 2020

668

555

986

1,650

311

4,170

Additions

-

-

64

153

2

219

Disposals

-

-

(247)

(34)

(29)

(310)

Foreign exchange movements

(1)

-

(16)

(21)

(15)

(53)

At 31 March 2021

667

555

787

1,748

269

4,026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

-

-

(978)

(860)

(28)

(1,866)

Charge for the year

(15)

-

(44)

(241)

(34)

(334)

Disposals

-

-

-

426

4

430

Revaluation in the year

13

-

-

-

-

13

Reclassification

(7)

-

310

(137)

(166)

-

Foreign exchange movements

-

-

2

-

11

13

At 31 March 2020

(9)

-

(710)

(812)

(213)

(1,744)

Charge for the year

(14)

(103)

(47)

(238)

(28)

(430)

Disposals

-

-

244

29

26

299

Foreign exchange movements

-

-

10

10

10

30

At 31 March 2021

(23)

(103)

(503)

(1,011)

(205)

(1,845)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2021

644

452

284

737

64

2,181

At 31 March 2020

659

555

276

838

98

2,426

At 31 March 2019

760

-

908

422

54

2,144

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

13.  Property, plant and equipment (continued)

 

The freehold land and buildings at Coombe Road, New Malden was valued at £615,000 at 31 March 2020 by Colliers International Valuation UK LLP (external independent qualified valuers). The fair value of the freehold property was determined by applying a 7.5% discount rate to the annual rental value of the property as determined by local market conditions. The Group considers the fair value of the property determined. This property will continue to be valued on a regular basis.

 

Valuation Technique used

Significant unobservable inputs

Inter-relationship between key unobservable inputs and fair value

RICS Valuation - Global Standards ('Red Book Global Standards') 

 

§ Estimated market rent

§ Capital Value

§ Price per square foot in local market.

§ Yield in local market

§ General condition

§ Statutory searches

§ Environmental matters

Reduced marketability and hence rent achievable by the property.

 

In determining the fair value of freehold land and buildings level-3 fair value inputs are used. The significant unobservable inputs used in establishing the fair value of freehold land and buildings are the estimated market rent and capital value. The Directors believe that the fair value of freehold land and buildings reflects the carrying value and a significant change in unobservable inputs would not significantly increase or reduce the fair value of the freehold land and buildings.

 

The freehold property of 78 Coombe Road, New Malden is subject to a legal charge held by the Company's bankers dated 20 March 1987.

 

The value of the freehold property would have been recorded at £239,000 (2020: £249,000) on a historical cost basis.

 

Depreciation has been included in the administrative expenses line in the income statement, except for £118,000 (2020: £129,000) of depreciation of production equipment in the Chinese subsidiary ECO Biok and for £6,000 (2020: £1,000) of depreciation in Pharmgate Animal Health USA LLC, which are included within cost of sales.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

13.  Property, plant and equipment (continued)

 

Company

 

Freehold Land and Buildings

Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment

Total

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

Cost or valuation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

 

760

167

927

Additions

 

-

1

1

Disposals

 

-

(154)

(154)

Revaluation in the year

 

(145)

-

(145)

At 31 March 2020

 

615

14

629

Additions

 

-

44

44

At 31 March 2021

 

615

58

673

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

 

-

(158)

(158)

Charge for the year restated

 

(13)

(4)

(17)

Disposals

 

-

155

155

Revaluation in the year

 

13

-

13

At 31 March 2020

 

-

(7)

(7)

Charge for the year

 

(12)

(3)

(15)

At 31 March 2021

 

(12)

(10)

(22)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2021

 

603

48

651

At 31 March 2020

 

615

7

622

At 31 March 2019

 

760

9

769

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

14.  Investment property

 

Group and Company

 

Freehold Land and Buildings

 

 

£000's

 

 

 

At 1 March 2019

 

200

Revaluation in 2020

 

105

At 31 March 2020

 

305

Revaluation in 2021

 

-

At 31 March 2021

 

305

 

The property in Western Road, Mitcham was valued at £305,000 as at 31 March 2020 by Colliers International Valuation UK LLP (external independent qualified valuer). The fair value of the investment property was determined by applying a 7.75% discount rate to the annual rental value of the property as determined by local market conditions. The Group considers the fair value of the property determined in this valuation continues to be reflective of the fair value of the property at 31 March 2021 and is not significantly different to the open market value.  No significant costs have been incurred in the repairs and maintenance of the property during the year.

 

The value of the investment property would have been recorded at £130,000 on a historical cost basis.

 

Valuation Technique used

Significant unobservable inputs

Inter-relationship between key unobservable inputs and fair value

RICS Valuation - Global Standards ('Red Book Global Standards') 

 

§ Estimated market rent

§ Capital value

§ Price per square foot in local market.

§ Yield in local market

§ General condition

§ Statutory searches

§ Environmental matters

Reduced marketability and hence rent achievable by the property.

 

In determining the fair value of investment property level-3 fair value inputs are used. The significant unobservable inputs used in establishing the fair value of investment property are the estimated market rent and capital value. The Directors believe that the fair value of investment property reflects the carrying value and a significant change in unobservable inputs would not significantly increase or reduce the fair value of the investment property.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

15.  Right-of-use assets

 

Group

 

Property

Vehicles

Other

Total

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Cost or valuation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

 

2,239

229

22

2,490

Additions

 

370

-

-

370

Disposals

 

(494)

(33)

-

(527)

Foreign exchange movements

 

(2)

2

1

1

At 31 March 2020

 

2,113

198

23

2,334

Additions

 

129

58

-

187

Disposals

 

-

(109)

-

(109)

Foreign exchange movements

 

(41)

-

(1)

(42)

At 31 March 2021

 

2,201

147

22

2,370

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

 

(714)

(91)

(10)

(815)

Charge for the year

 

(323)

(61)

(5)

(389)

Disposals

 

494

33

-

527

Foreign exchange movements

 

1

-

-

1

At 31 March 2020

 

(542)

(119)

(15)

(676)

Charge for the year

 

(347)

(52)

(4)

(403)

Disposals

 

-

96

-

96

Foreign exchange movements

 

11

-

1

12

At 31 March 2021

 

(878)

(75)

(18)

(971)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2021

 

1,323

72

4

1,399

At 31 March 2020

 

1,571

79

8

1,658

At 31 March 2019

 

1,525

138

12

1,675

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

15.  Right of use assets (continued)

 

Company

 

 

Vehicles

Other

Total

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

Cost or valuation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

 

 

115

7

122

Additions

 

 

-

-

-

Disposals

 

 

(19)

-

(19)

Foreign exchange movements

 

 

(1)

-

(1)

At 31 March 2020

 

 

95

7

102

Additions

 

 

40

-

40

Disposals

 

 

(67)

-

(67)

Foreign exchange movements

 

 

-

-

-

At 31 March 2021

 

 

68

7

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

 

 

(61)

(4)

(65)

Charge for the year

 

 

(31)

(1)

(32)

Disposals

 

 

19

-

19

Foreign exchange movements

 

 

1

-

1

At 31 March 2020

 

 

(72)

(5)

(77)

Charge for the year

 

 

(23)

(1)

(24)

Disposals

 

 

63

-

63

Foreign exchange movements

 

 

-

-

-

At 31 March 2021

 

 

(32)

(6)

(38)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2021

 

 

36

1

37

At 31 March 2020

 

 

23

2

25

At 31 March 2019

 

 

54

3

57

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

16.  Fixed asset investments

 

Group

 

Investment in Associate

Unlisted investments

Total

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2019

 

107

9

116

Share of associate's result for the year

 

42

-

42

Foreign exchange differences

 

8

-

8

At 31 March 2020

 

157

9

166

Share of associate's result for the year

 

38

-

38

Foreign exchange differences

 

(24)

-

(24)

At 31 March 2021

 

171

9

180

 

 

 

 

 

Company

 

 

Unlisted investments (subsidiaries)

Total

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2019, 2020

 

 

20,077

20,077

Disposed

 

 

(25)

(25)

At 31 March 2021

 

 

20,052

20,052

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

 

 

-

-

Impairment charge

 

 

(45)

(45)

At 31 March 2020

 

 

(45)

(45)

Impairment charge

 

 

-

-

Disposal

 

 

25

25

At 31 March 2021

 

 

(20)

(20)

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2021

 

 

20,032

20,032

At 31 March 2020

 

 

20,032

20,032

At 31 March 2019

 

 

20,077

20,077

 

Petlove Limited, a former subsidiary of the Company, which was fully impaired in the financial year ended 31 March 2020, was dissolved on 27 October 2020.

 

The Company holds more than 20% of the share capital of the following companies:

 

Subsidiary undertakings held by the Company

 

Company

Registered office address

Country of registration or incorporation

Class

Shares held %

Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited

Zhongguan Industrial Area, Deqing, Zhejiang Province

P. R. China

Ordinary

3*

ECO Animal Health Limited

78 Coombe Road, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 4QS

Great Britain

Ordinary

100

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

 

16.  Fixed asset investments (continued)

 

Subsidiary undertakings held by the Group

 

Company

Registered office address

Country of registration or incorporation

Class

Shares held %

ECO Animal Health Southern Africa (Pty) Limited.

228 Athol Road, Highlands North, Johannesburg 2192

South Africa

Ordinary

100

Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited.

Zhongguan Industrial Area, Deqing, Zhejiang Province

P. R. China

Ordinary

51*

Shanghai ECO Biok Veterinary Drug Sale Company Ltd. (via Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Products Ltd.)

Room 1502-3, Imago Plaza, No. 99 Wuning Road, Ptro District, Shanghai 200063

P. R. China

Ordinary

51

ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda.

Av. Dr. Cardoso de Melo, 1470, Cl311, Villa Olimpia, CEP 04548-005, Sao Paulo

Brazil

Ordinary

100

ECO Animal Health Japan Inc.

1-2-1, Hamamatsu-cho, Minato-Ku, Tokyo

Japan

Ordinary

100

ECO Animal Health USA Corp.

344 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540

U.S.A.

Ordinary

100

Interpet LLC.

3775 Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21043

U.S.A.

Ordinary

100

ECO Animal Health de Mexico, S de R.L. de C.V.

Av Techologico Sur 134-4, Unidad Habitacional Moderna, Queretaro, 76030

Mexico

Ordinary

100

ECO Animal Health de Argentina S.A.

Calle 4 E 43/44 N: 581 P.6 D:B La Plata, Buenos Aires

Argentina

Ordinary

100

ECO Animal Health Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

10th Floor, Menara Hap Seng, No 1 & 3, Jalan P Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Ordinary

100

ECO Animal Health India (Private) Ltd

No 33/5, Second Floor, Mount Kailash Building, Meanee Avenue Road, Ulsoor Bangalore, Karnataka, 560042

India

Ordinary

100

ECO Animal Health Europe Ltd

6 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6, Eire

Republic of Ireland

Ordinary

100

 

*The Group's control over its China based subsidiary Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited is achieved via a joint holding of 51% of the entity's Ordinary share capital between the Company (3%) and its UK based trading subsidiary ECO Animal Health Limited (48%). 

 

Shanghai ECO Biok Veterinary Drug Sale Company Ltd is a 100% subsidiary of Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

16.  Fixed asset investments (continued)

 

Subsidiary undertakings held by the Group (continued)

 

The principal activity of these undertakings for the last relevant financial year was as follows:

 

Company Name

Principal activity

ECO Animal Health Limited

Distribution of animal drugs

ECO Animal Health Southern Africa (Pty) Limited

Non-trading

Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited

Manufacture of animal drugs

Shanghai ECO Biok Veterinary Drug Sale Company Ltd.

Distribution of animal drugs

ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda

Distribution of animal drugs

ECO Animal Health Japan Inc.

Distribution of animal drugs

ECO Animal Health USA Corp.

Distribution of animal drugs

 

Interpret LLC

Non-trading

ECO Animal Health de Mexico, S. de R. L. de C. V.

Distribution of animal drugs

ECO Animal Health de Argentina S.A.

Non-trading

ECO Animal Health Malaysia Sdn. Bhd

Non-trading

ECO Animal Health India (Private) Ltd

Non-trading

 

ECO Animal Health Europe Ltd

Non-trading

 

The aggregate amount of capital and reserves and the results of these undertakings for the last relevant financial year were:

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

Equity

Profit/(loss)
for the year

Equity

Profit/(loss)
for the year

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

ECO Animal Health Limited

(5,088)

(1,816)

1,021

1,834

ECO Animal Health Southern Africa (Pty) Limited

280

4

276

19

Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Ltd

27,384

17,340

11,965

3,473

ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda.

553

847

(227)

(571)

ECO Animal Health Japan Inc.

1,398

(16)

1,505

152

ECO Animal Health de Mexico, S. de R. L. de C. V.

578

151

141

99

ECO Animal Health USA Corp.

(1,382)

111

(1,648)

(997)

ECO Animal Health India (Private) Ltd

(1)

(2)

-

-

ECO Animal Health Europe Ltd

-

-

-

-

ECO Animal Health Malaysia Sdn Bhd

(21)

(1)

(21)

(7)

 

The equity and results of Shanghai ECO Biok Veterinary Drug Sale Company Ltd are included within those disclosed for Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited.

All of the subsidiaries listed above were included in the consolidation for the year.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

16.  Fixed asset investments (continued)

 

Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited and ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda both have 31 December year ends. The Group receives management accounts for the three months to 31 March for these subsidiaries for use in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

 

Interpet LLC has been excluded from consolidation as it holds no assets or liabilities and has ceased trading.

 

The following trading subsidiaries have no requirement for audit under local legislation:

 

ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda.

ECO Animal Health Japan Inc.

ECO Animal Health USA Corp.

ECO Animal Health de Mexico, S. de R. L. de C. V.

 

ECO Animal Health Group PLC has given statutory guarantees against all the outstanding liabilities of ECO Animal Health Ltd, thereby allowing its subsidiary to be exempt from the annual audit requirement under Section 479A of the Companies Act, for the year ended 31 March 2021.

 

Non-controlling interests

 

Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited (Zhejiang ECO Biok) and Shanghai ECO Biok Veterinary Drug Sale Company Limited (Shanghai ECO Biok), both 51% owned subsidiaries of the Group, have material non-controlling interests (NCI). Summarised financial information in relation to these two subsidiaries is presented below together with amounts attributable to NCI.

 

Please note that as Shanghai ECO Biok is a 100% owned subsidiary of Zhejiang ECO Biok, the summarised results below are consolidated on Zhejiang ECO Biok level, before wider group eliminations.

 

Summarised statement of comprehensive income

2021

2020

For the year ended 31 March

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

56,179

20,169

Cost of sales

 

(25,527)

(10,374)

Gross Profit

 

30,652

9,795

 

 

 

 

Administrative expenses

 

(7,619)

(5,275)

Operating profit

 

23,033

4,520

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

6

-

Finance income/(expense)

 

31

(67)

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax

 

23,070

4,453

Tax expense

 

(5,730)

(1,201)

Profit after tax

 

17,340

3,252

 

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) allocated to NCI

 

8,491

1,593

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income allocated to NCI

 

(281)

39

 

 

 

 

Dividend paid to NCI

 

(562)

(968)

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

16.  Fixed asset investments (continued)

 

Summarised balance sheet

 

2021

2020

As at 31 March

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

626

704

Right-of-use assets

 

755

891

Deferred tax assets

 

-

30

Inventories

 

4,967

3,150

Trade and other receivables

 

18,161

6,457

Cash and cash equivalents

 

13,651

5,339

 

 

38,160

16,571

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

 

7,785

3,306

Contract liabilities

 

2,155

605

Lease liabilities - short term

 

82

96

Lease liabilities - long term

 

753

857

 

 

10,775

4,864

 

 

 

 

Accumulated NCI

 

13,413

5,766

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summarised cash flows

 

2021

2020

For the year ended 31 March

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

10,359

3,493

Cash flows from investing activities

 

20

(24)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

(1,310)

(2,192)

Foreign exchange movements

 

(757)

17

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

8,312

1,294

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

16.  Fixed asset investments (continued)

 

Joint Operations

The Group also holds (by means of its ownership of ECO Animal Health USA Corp.), a 50% interest in Pharmgate Animal Health LLC, which is resident in the U.S.A. Pharmgate Animal Health LLC distributes the Group's products in the U.S.A.

 

The Group also holds (by means of its ownership of ECO Animal Health Ltd) a 50% interest in Pharmgate Animal Health Canada Inc, which distributes its products into Canada.

The Group also holds (by means of its ownership of ECO Animal Health Europe Ltd) a 50% interest in ECO-Pharm Limited, based in the Republic of Ireland. ECO-Pharm Limited has not yet commenced trading.

 

Both Pharmgate Animal Health LLC and Pharmgate Animal Health Canada Inc. have accounting years which end on 31 December.

 

The Group's holdings in each of the joint operations' share capital is given in the table below:

 

Pharmgate Animal Health Canada Inc

Holding

Shares

Holding

 

(shares)

in issue

%

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

100

200

50

Class A Shares

100

100

100

Class B Shares

-

100

-

 

 

 

 

Pharmgate Animal Health USA LLC

Holding

Shares

Holding

 

(shares)

in issue

%

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

100

200

50

Class A Shares

100

100

100

Class B Shares

-

100

-

 

 

 

 

ECO-Pharm Limited

Holding

Shares

Holding

 

(shares)

in issue

%

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

25,000

50,000

50

Class A Shares

1

1

100

Class B Shares

-

1

-

 

 

 

 

 

In the case of Pharmgate Animal Health Canada Inc and Pharmgate Animal Health USA LLC, A shares carry the rights to dividends payable out of profits attributable to the Group. These are made up of profits made by products supplied by the ECO Group plus 50% of any profit relating to new products developed jointly by the partners to the joint operation.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

16.  Fixed asset investments (continued)

 

In the case of ECO-Pharm Limited, profits attributable to the Group are made up of profits made by products supplied by the ECO Group plus 33% of any profit relating to new products developed jointly by the partners to the joint operation.

 

The following amounts included in the Group's financial statements are related to its interest in these joint operations.

 

Pharmgate Animal Health LLC

Pharmgate Animal Health Canada Inc

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets

18

-

-

-

Current assets

1,055

2,325

545

511

Current liabilities

(1,047)

(2,310)

(544)

(510)

Sales

10,745

7,612

3,300

3,358

Profit after tax

-

-

-

-

 

Associated Company

The Group also holds (by means of its ownership of ECO Animal Health Japan Inc.) a 47.62% interest in EcoPharma.com which is resident in Japan. This Company distributes Animal Health products and other general merchandise within Japan.

ECO Animal Health Japan Inc's holding in EcoPharma.com is 10,000,000 shares out of a total of 21,000,000 shares.

The following amounts included in the Group's financial statements are related to its interests in this associated Company.

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's

Investments (share of net assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April

 

157

107

Share of results for the year

 

38

42

Foreign exchange movement

 

(24)

8

At 31 March

 

171

157

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

16.  Fixed asset investments (continued)

 

 

 

2021

2020

Summarised financial information

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

At 31 March

 

 

 

Current assets

 

938

541

Non-current assets

 

44

19

Current liabilities

 

208

221

Non-current liabilities

 

415

12

Net assets (100%)

 

359

327

Group share of net assets (47.62%)

 

171

157

 

 

 

 

Year ended 31 March

 

 

 

Revenue

 

1,704

1,634

Net profit

 

80

79

 

17.  Inventories

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials and consumables

11,488

6,734

-

-

Finished goods and goods for resale

5,433

4,397

-

-

Work in progress

3,583

6,133

-

-

 

20,504

17,264

-

-

 

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales in the financial year amounted to £51,864,000 (2020: £38,381,000).

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

18.  Trade and other receivables

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

Amounts owed by group undertakings

-

-

55,909

59,295

 

The intercompany debt is due on demand, however the company has classified the receivable as a non-current asset as it does not expect to realise the asset within 12 months after the reporting period.

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Current:

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

29,838

25,974

-

-

Other receivables

1,688

1,884

69

30

Prepayments and accrued income

926

495

212

25

 

32,452

28,353

281

55

 

As at 31 March 2021, trade receivables of £3,170,000 (2020: £11,402,000) due to the Group and £nil (2020: £nil) due to the Company were past due but not impaired. These relate to long standing distributors with whom we have agreed settlement terms and with whom there is no history of default. The ageing analysis of these trade receivables is as follows:

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Up to 3 months past due

2,098

6,974

-

-

3 to 6 months past due

468

2,899

-

-

Over 6 months past due

604

1,529

-

-

 

3,170

11,402

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202118.  Trade and other receivables(continued)

As at 31 March 2021, impairment provisions of £351,000 on gross receivables of £729,000 (2020: 419,000 on gross receivables of £705,000) were recognised. The impaired receivables mainly relate to debt for which recovery is still being sought. The Group mitigates its exposure to credit risk by extensive use of commercial credit reference agencies, close management of its customers' trading against terms offered and use of retention of title clauses wherever possible.

 

The Group has experienced minimal bad debt history and considered this in arriving at the impairment provision recognised. This consideration includes the potential risks arising from COVID on its customers. Its experience with customers since 31 March 2021, is consistent with those considerations that credit risk has not increased. No collateral is held against customer receivable balances.

 

The ageing analysis of the impaired balances is as follows:

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Current debt

6

152

 

 

Up to 3 months past due

97

4

-

-

3 to 6 months past due

1

2

-

-

Over 6 months past due

247

261

-

-

 

351

419

-

-

 

 

Movement on the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

 

Group

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 April

 

 

419

280

Additional provision made

 

 

71

140

(Recovered) in the year

 

 

(136)

-

Written off in the year

 

 

-

(1)

Foreign exchange movements

 

 

(3)

-

Balance at 31 March

 

 

351

419

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202118.  Trade and other receivables(continued)

The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British Pounds Sterling

1,192

759

281

55

U S Dollars

8,067

12,875

-

-

Euros

1,749

2,875

-

-

Chinese RMB

18,161

6,757

-

-

Japanese Yen

175

841

-

-

Brazilian Real

363

2,233

-

-

Canadian dollars

545

511

-

-

Mexican Pesos

1,997

1,499

-

-

Other currencies

203

3

-

-

 

32,452

28,353

281

55

 

The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables are not significantly different to their fair values.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

19.  Deferred tax

 

Group

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

 

 

Assets/(Liabilities)

Net

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's
Restated*

£000's

£000's
Restated*

 

 

 

 

 

Trade related temporary differences

(2,294)

(2,114)

(2,294)

(2,114)

Overseas trade related temporary differences

3

30

3

30

Freehold property

8

(76)

8

(76)

Investment property

(1)

(19)

(1)

(19)

Plant and equipment

(12)

(77)

(12)

(77)

Deferred tax on share options

120

-

120

-

Tax losses carried forward

1,993

1,993

1,993

1,993

Amount (payable) after more than one year

(183)

(263)

(183)

(263)

 

The movement on the deferred tax account can be summarised as follows:

 

 

Trade-related temporary differences

Freehold property

Investment property

Plant and machinery

Share options

Total

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2020 - restated*

(91)

(76)

(19)

(77)

-

(263)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Charge) for the year through income statement

(206)

-

-

-

-

(206)

Credit for the year through income statement

-

-

17

65

120

202

Credit for the year through reserves

 -

84

-

-

-

84

At 31 March 2021

(297)

8

(2)

(12)

120

(183)

 

Trade related temporary differences are predominantly related to research and development tax deductions claimed in advance of expense recognition in the income statement. The tax losses carried forward are not expected to expire under current legislation.

 

Any future dividend received from the Chinese subsidiary Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited will be subject to a 5% withholding tax. The deferred tax liability in respect of this has not been recognised.

 

*Please refer to note 3 for further details on the prior year restatement.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

19.  Deferred tax (continued)

 

Company

Freehold property

Investment property

Share options

Total

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

(75)

(10)

85

-

(Charge) for the year through income statement

-

(9)

(22)

(31)

(Charge) for the year through reserves

(1)

-

(63)

(64)

At 31 March 2020

(76)

(19)

-

(95)

Credit for the year through income statement

-

17

-

17

Credit for the year through reserves

84

-

-

84

At 31 March 2021

8

(2)

-

6

 

At 31 March 2021 the Group had a deferred tax asset of £nil on share options (2020: nil).

 

At the year ended 31 March 2021 the Group has an unrecognised deferred tax asset in relation to unused overseas tax losses amounting to £nil (2020: £700,000). These tax losses are not expected to expire.

 

20.  Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents for statement of financial position presentation purposes, comprise cash, short-term deposits held by the Group. The carrying amount of these assets are not significantly different to their fair value.

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

19,523

11,877

819

177

Bank overdraft

-

(2,032)

-

(2,001)

Cash and cash equivalents presented in the statement of cash flows (restated)

19,523

9,845

819

(1,824)

 

Balances drawn on the bank overdraft facility are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the cash management of the Group and Company. In the statement of cash flows, the Group and the Company have presented cash and cash equivalents net of balances outstanding on bank overdrafts, which is an updated presentation on prior year.  Amounts drawn and repaid on the overdraft facility are therefore considered as part of changes in cash and cash equivalents and are not presented as financing cash flows.

 

The presentation in the prior year has been amended accordingly.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

20Cash and cash equivalents (continued)

 

Significant non-cash transactions from investing activities are as follows:

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment by means of leases or not yet paid at year end

187

370

40

-

Acquisition of intangible assets not yet paid at year end

125

-

-

-

 

21.  Trade and other payables

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

7,918

7,608

58

189

Contract liabilities

2,155

594

-

-

Other payables

683

2,093

147

197

Accruals and deferred income

3,765

4,191

319

181

 

14,521

14,486

524

567

 

22.  Borrowings

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

19,523

11,877

819

177

Bank overdraft

-

(2,032)

-

(2,001)

Lease liabilities

(1,522)

(1,766)

(39)

(27)

Net Cash

18,001

8,079

780

(1,851)

 

The Group has a overdraft facility in certain currencies in respect of a pool of bank accounts held with NatWest Bank plc.

 

The interest rate for all currency overdrafts is 1.8% over the relevant currency base rate and the borrowings are secured by two debentures held over the assets of the Group. Any drawdown of this facility is repayable on demand. The Company and ECO Animal Health Limited have each given a guarantee to the Group's bankers for the overdraft facility. The facility has a gross and net limit of £5,000,000, which may be borrowed and repaid at will.

 

At 31 March 2021, the undrawn facility was £5,000,000 (2020: £2,968,000).

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

22.  Borrowings (continued)

Reconciliation of Lease Liabilities

 

 

Group

 

Company

 

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Opening lease liabilities

(1,766)

(1,770)

(29)

(65)

 

 

 

 

 

New lease liabilities

(188)

(359)

(43)

-

Repayment

500

489

35

51

Lease liabilities interest

(122)

(124)

(11)

(13)

Disposal

18

-

6

-

Foreign exchange

36

(2)

3

(2)

Closing lease Liabilities

(1,522)

(1,766)

(39)

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Current lease liabilities

(311)

(342)

(7)

(24)

Non-current lease liabilities

(1,211)

(1,424)

(32)

(5)

 

 

 

 

 

The Group leases a number of properties and motor vehicles in the jurisdictions it operates in. At 31 March 2021 there were no termination or extension options on leases.

 

The Group expensed £55,000 for the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020: £47,000) for short term leases.

Group Leases Maturity

At 31 March 2021 the Group held the following number of leases in each of the maturity categories below.

 

At 31 March 2021

Property

Vehicle

Other

Total

 

Number

Number

Number

Number

Up to 1 year

5

5

3

13

Between 1 - 5 years

2

5

-

7

Over 5 years

2

-

-

2

Total number of leases

9

10

3

22

Average remaining lease term (in years)

7.1

1.3

0.7

3.6

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 March 2020

Property

Vehicle

Other

Total

 

Number

Number

Number

Number

Up to 1 year

-

3

-

3

Between 1 - 5 years

5

8

3

16

Over 5 years

3

-

-

3

Total number of leases

8

11

3

22

Average remaining lease term (in years)

8.7

1.6

1.6

4.2

 

The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities recognised in the statement of financial position was 7.2% at 31 March 2021 (2020: 7.10%).

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

22.  Borrowings (continued)

Weighted average incremental borrowing rate:

 

Group

2021

2020

 

 

 

Property

5.9%

5.9%

Vehicle

29.0%

29.0%

Other

4.0%

4.0%

Weighted average

7.2%

7.1%

 

Amounts payable under lease arrangements for the Group

The undiscounted contractual cash flows payable under the existing lease arrangements at 31 March 2021 are analysed into the following maturity categories.

 

 

Up to 1 year

Between 1 - 5 years

Over 5 years

Total

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

Amounts payable under lease arrangements

415

768

768

1,951

 

 

23.  Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments

 

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes. The assets of the schemes are held separately from the Group and independently administered by insurance companies. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable to the funds in the year and amounted to £105,000 (2020: £262,000).

 

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

The Group operates a defined benefit scheme in the UK for ex-employees only. A full actuarial valuation was carried out at 6 April 2018 and updated to 31 March 2021 for IAS 19 purposes by a qualified independent actuary. The major assumptions used by the actuary were:

 

 

31-Mar

31-Mar

 

2021

2020

Discount rate

1.90%

2.40%

Pension revaluation

3.40%

2.70%

Inflation assumption with a maximum of 5% p.a.

3.40%

2.70%

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

23.  Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

Mortality rates

No pre-retirement mortality is assumed (2020: none). Post retirement mortality is based on 100% of the SAPS "S2" normal tables, based on the members' year of birth, improving in line with CMI 2020 projections with a 1.25% long term trend rate (2020: CMI 2019).

 

Under these mortality assumptions, the expected future lifetime for a member retiring at age 65 at the year-end would be 22.1 years for males (2020: 22.4 years) and 24.2 years for females (2020: 24.4 years). For members retiring in 20 years' time, the expectation of life would be 23.4 years for males (2020: 23.7 years) and 25.7 years for females (2020: 25.9 years).

 

The weighted average term of the liabilities is 10 years (2020: 10 years).

 

The scheme is exposed to a number of risks including:

 

§ Interest rate risk: Movements in the discount rate used could affect the present value of the defined benefit pension obligations.

§ Longevity risk: Changes in the estimated mortality rates of former employees could affect the present value of the defined benefit pension obligations.

§ Investment risk: Variations in the actual return from the scheme's investments could affect the scheme's ability to meet its future pension obligations

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets at start of year

 

1,787

 

1,802

 

Defined benefit obligation at start of year

 

(1,814)

 

(1,899)

 

Net (liability) at 1 April

 

 

(27)

 

(97)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on assets

 

42

 

38

 

Interest cost

 

(42)

 

(39)

 

Past service cost

 

(4)

 

-

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain/(loss) on asset return

 

(4)

 

(2)

 

(Loss)/gain on changes in assumptions

 

(28)

 

14

 

Statement of other comprehensive income

 

 

(32)

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer contributions (gross)

 

 

59

 

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (liability) at 31 March

 

 

(4)

 

(27)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual assets at end of year

 

 

1,795

 

1,787

Actual defined benefit obligation at end of year

 

 

(1,799)

 

(1,814)

 

(Loss)/gain on changes in assumptions comprises a gain of £3,000 (2020: £4,000 loss) relating to changes in demographic assumptions and a loss of £31,000 (2020: £18,000 gain) relating to changes in financial assumptions.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

23.  Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

 

The pension fund assets (principally made up of annuities for the benefit of active pensioners) are all held within a policy managed by an insurance company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom Pensions Regulator. By law, the trustees are required to act in the best interests of participants to the schemes. Responsibility for governance of the plans - including investment decisions and contributions schedules lies with trustees.

 

Reconciliation of changes in the asset value during the year

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets at 1 April

 

1,787

 

1,802

 

Return on assets

 

42

 

38

 

Gain/(loss) on asset return

 

(4)

 

(2)

 

Employer contributions (gross)

 

59

 

59

 

(Decrease)/increase in secured pensioners' value due to scheme experience

 

(89)

 

(110)

 

Benefits paid

 

-

 

-

 

Fair value of assets at 31 March

 

 

1,795

 

1,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of changes in the liability value during the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit obligation at 1 April

 

1,814

 

1,899

 

Interest cost

 

42

 

39

 

Past service cost

 

4

 

-

 

(Gain)/loss on changes in assumptions

 

28

 

(14)

 

(Decrease)/increase in secured pensioners' value due to scheme experience

 

(89)

 

(110)

 

Benefits paid

 

-

 

-

 

Defined benefit obligation at 31 March

 

 

1,799

 

1,814

 

The amount of annual contribution to be paid by the employer of £59,000 (2020: £59,000) is expected to continue until December 2021. 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

23.  Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

 

Year ended 31 March

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets

1,795

1,787

1,802

2,503

2,314

Present value of defined benefit obligation

1,799

1,814

1,899

2,603

2,435

(Deficit)/Surplus in plan

(4)

(27)

(97)

(100)

(121)

Experience (losses)/gains on plan liabilities

(4)

(2)

(38)

(7)

(300)

 

Plan Assets

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Assets under management

 

205

145

Annuities

 

1,590

1,642

Total

 

1,795

1,787

 

Assets under management composition

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

43.4%

37.0%

Overseas Equities

 

28.4%

26.1%

UK Equities

 

17.8%

15.6%

Property

 

8.9%

10.1%

Cash

 

1.2%

1.4%

Derivatives

 

0.3%

-

Gilts

 

-

9.8%

 

 

100.0%

100.0%

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

23.  Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

 

Defined benefit obligation - sensitivity analysis

 

The following amounts are the effect (on the defined benefit obligation) of reasonably possible changes to the key actuarial assumptions, as required by IAS 19.

 

Actuarial assumptions - Reasonably Possible Change

 

(Decrease)/Increase in Defined Benefit Obligation

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate: +/- 0.1% (2020: +/- 0.25%)

 

(20)

20

(42)

44

Members' life expectancy: +/- 1 year

 

(100)

100

(97)

101

 

The above sensitivity analyses are based on a change in an assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this is unlikely to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant actuarial assumptions the same method (present value of the defined benefit obligation calculated with the projected unit credit method at the end of the reporting period) has been applied as when calculating the defined benefit liability recognised in the Statement of financial position.

 

The methods and types of assumptions used in preparing the sensitivity analysis did not change compared to the prior period. 

 

The Company has given a floating charge dated 1 December 2006 over all of its assets to the trustees of the pension fund to secure all present and future obligations and liabilities to the pension fund.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

24.  Share-based payments

 

The expense recognised for share-based payments made during the year is shown in the following table:

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Total expense arising from equity settled share-based payments transactions

123

284

 

The share-based payment plans are described below:

Movements in issued share options during the year

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of, and movements in, share options during the period:

 

 

Options

Options

 

2021

2021

2020

2020

 

000's

WAEP (£)

000's

WAEP (£)

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at 1 April

3,519

3.68

4,292

3.62

Granted during the period

-

-

-

-

Cancelled during the period

-

-

(668)

3.55

Exercised during the period

(149)

2.54

(105)

2.27

 

-

 

 

 

Outstanding at 31 March

3,370

3.73

3,519

3.68

Exercisable at 31 March

3,005

3.72

2,812

3.36

 

The average share price during the year was 253.12p (2020: 319.10p).

 

The maximum aggregate number of shares over which options may currently be granted cannot exceed 10% of the nominal share capital of the Company on the grant date. The options outstanding at 31 March 2021 had a weighted average exercise price of £3.73 (2020: £3.68) and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.6 years (2020: 3.1 years).

 

ECO Animal Health Group plc Executive Share Option Scheme

In accordance with the Executive Share Option Scheme, approved and unapproved share options are granted to Directors and employees who devote at least 25 hours per week to the performance of duties or employment with the Company.

 

No share options have been granted in the year (2020: none).

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

24.  Share-based payments (continued)

 

The exercise price of the options is equal to the market price of the shares at the date of grant. The options vest three years from the date of grant and if the option holder ceases to be a Director or employee of the Company due to injury, disability, redundancy or retirement on reaching pensionable age or any other age at which they are bound to retire at in accordance with the terms of their contract of employment, the option may be exercised within a period of six months after the option holders so ceasing, although the Board may, at its discretion, extend this period by up to 36 months after the date of cessation.

 

If the option holder ceases employment for any other reason, the option may not be exercised unless the Board permits. The approved and unapproved options will be forfeited where they remain unexercised at the end of their respective contractual lives of ten and seven years respectively.

 

An analysis of the expiry dates of the outstanding options at 31 March 2021 is given below:

 

Date of grant

Unapproved

Approved

Exercise price (pence)

Expiry date

11 October 11

 

  8,000

186.50

11 October 21

09 October 13

 

  11,100

196.00

09 October 23

21 August 14

 

  14,400

161.50

07 August 24

21 August 14

  5,500

 

161.50

07 August 21

13 February 15

 

  34,500

200.50

13 February 25

13 February 15

  121,500

 

200.50

13 February 22

26 August 15

 

  24,850

265.00

26 August 25

26 August 15

  511,650

 

265.00

26 August 22

18 December 15

  600,000

 

312.50

18 December 22

18 January 16

 

  10,200

315.00

18 January 26

18 January 16

  252,800

 

315.00

18 January 23

17 February 16

 

  19,600

312.50

17 February 26

17 February 16

  400

 

312.50

17 February 23

01 March 16

 

  9,600

312.50

01 March 26

01 March 16

  40,400

 

312.50

01 March 23

12 September 16

 

  25,100

432.50

12 September 26

12 September 16

  423,900

 

432.50

12 September 23

15 September 16

 

  5,900

435.00

15 September 26

15 September 16

  544,100

 

435.00

15 September 23

21 September 17

 

  53,475

620.00

21 September 27

21 September 17

  287,525

 

620.00

21 September 24

12 April 18

 

  3,900

545.00

12 April 28

23 October 18

 

  75,200

380.00

23 October 28

23 October 18

  276,800

 

380.00

23 October 25

19 December 18

 

  7,800

380.00

19 December 28

19 December 18

  2,200

 

380.00

19 December 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,066,775

303,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The market price of the shares at 31 March 2021 was 322.5p (2020: 220.0p) with a range in the year of 198.0p to 371.0p (2020: 135.0p to 445.0p).

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

24.  Share-based payments (continued)

 

The Company uses a Black-Scholes model to value share-based payments and the following table lists the inputs to this model for the last five years. No new options were issued in the year ended 31 March 2021.

 

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting period (years)

n/a

n/a

3

3

3

Option expiry (years)

 

 

7-10 yrs

7-10 yrs

7-10 yrs

Dividends expected on the shares

 

 

1.90%

1.10%

1.50%

Risk free rate (average)

 

 

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Volatility of share price

 

 

20.00%

20.00%

20.00%

Weighted average fair value (pence)

 

 

51.0

98.6

61.4

 

The risk-free rate has been based on the yield from UK Government Treasury coupons. The volatility of the share price was estimated based on standard deviation calculations on the historic share price.

 

25.  Share capital

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

Authorised

 

 

 

 

68,100,000 ordinary shares of 5p each

 

3,405

3,405

10,790 deferred ordinary shares of 10p each

 

1

1

32,334 convertible preference shares of £1 each

 

32

32

 

 

 

3,438

3,438

 

 

 

 

 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

 

 

 

 

67,696,416 (2020: 67,547,626) ordinary shares of 5p each

 

3,379

3,377

 

During the year 148,790 shares were issued at a premium of £367,000 as a result of the exercise of options by employees. (2020: 104,500 shares at a premium of £232,000).

 

All share issued are non-redeemable and rank equally in terms of voting rights (one vote per share); rights to participate in all approved dividend distribution for that class of shares; and right to participate in any capital distribution on winding up.

 

The shares in the original or any increased capital of the Company may be issued with such preferred, deferred or other special rights or restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital as the Company may from time to time determine.
 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

26.  Non-controlling (minority) interests

 

 

 

2021

2020
Restated*

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 1 April

 

5,766

5,102

 

 

 

 

Share of subsidiary's profit for the year

 

8,491

1,593

Share of foreign exchange gain/(loss) on net investment

 

(281)

39

 

 

8,210

1,632

 

 

 

 

Share of dividend paid by subsidiary

 

(562)

(968)

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March

 

13,414

5,766

 

27.  Other reserves

 

The Group and Company held a Capital redemption reserve of £106,000 as at 31 March 2021 (2020: £106,000).

 

Included in the Group's foreign currency revaluation reserve are the following exchange movements on consolidation of the subsidiaries and joint operations listed below:

 

 

At
31 March 2020

Movement in the year

At
31 March 2021

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

In respect of:

 

 

 

Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited

894

(259)

635

ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda

(346)

(66)

(412)

ECO Animal Health Japan Inc.

94

(90)

4

ECO Animal Health USA Corp.

(67)

155

88

ECO Animal Health de Mexico, S. de R. L. de C. V.

(60)

286

226

Pharmgate LLC

11

(3)

8

Foreign currency differences attributable to owner credited directly to reserves

526

23

549

 

28.  Capital commitments

 

The Group had no authorised capital commitments as at 31 March 2021 (2020: £Nil).

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

29.  Directors' emoluments

 

 

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

Emoluments for qualifying services

1,086

847

Company pension contributions to money purchase schemes

34

26

Share-based payments

1

70

Benefits in kind

5

11

 

1,126

954

 

During the year no directors exercised share options (2020: none) realising a gain of £nil (2020: £nil).

 

The highest paid director received £541,000 (2020: 385,000) including £1,000 (2020: 38,000) of share-based payments and £10,000 (2020: 10,000) of pension contributions.

 

 

30.  Employees

 

Number of employees

The average number of employees (including Directors) during the year was:

 

 

2021

2020

 

Number

Number

 

 

 

Directors

5

5

Production and development

66

66

Administration

48

45

Sales

88

88

 

207

204

 

Employment costs (including amounts capitalised)

 

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

Wages and salaries

13,776

9,584

Share-based payments

123

284

Social security costs

863

764

Other pension costs

105

269

 

14,867

10,901

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

31.  Related party transactions

 

During the year ended 31 March 2020 Julia Trouse, a longstanding former Director and Company Secretary of the Group, withdrew cash from the Company totalling £25,748 which was recorded in the Company and Group's financial statements as administrative costs in each period.

 

Mrs Trouse withdrew further cash over an extended period starting in 2014, the cumulative amount of which was £322,109 as at 31 March 2020 (£296,361 as at 31 March 2019; and £249,441 as at 31 March 2018). These withdrawals were not approved, were outside the normal course of the Group's business and were in excess of Mrs Trouse's contractual remuneration levels. The highest total value of withdrawals in any year was £87,187. No reimbursement of these withdrawals was assumed at any of the reporting dates to 31 March 2020, therefore all amounts remain expensed in the periods in which each payment was made and no asset for reimbursement was included in the financial statements as at 31 March 2020.  Mrs Trouse resigned as a director of the Company on 19 August 2019 and ceased employment with the Company on 31 January 2020.

 

The Group's Internal Audit department identified the payments and reported their findings to the Board in April 2020. Further work was performed to help assess the full extent of the withdrawals.  Mrs Trouse agreed to repay these amounts to the Company and Group and a repayment of £307,113 was made in August 2020.  No interest was received.  The reimbursement is recorded as Other Income in the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2021. 

 

Mrs Trouse has repaid the remaining balance without interest in February 2021.

 

During the year ended 31 March 2020, the group paid consultancy fees of £14,500 (2021: nil) to Clemo Consultancy Ltd, a company in which B Clemo a former director (resigned 19 August 2019) had significant control.

 

During the year Mr P Lawrence (a significant shareholder) and his family received dividends to the value of £nil (2020: £489,000).

 

The other Directors and their families received dividends to the value of £nil (2020: £1,000).

 

Interest and management charges from Parent to the other Group companies

 

During the year the Company made management charges on an arm's length basis to ECO Animal Health Limited amounting to £775,000 (2020: £475,000) and charged interest of £875,000 (2020: £890,000) to the subsidiary company. Both of these transactions were made through the inter-company account and were eliminated on consolidation.

 

During the year Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited paid dividends of £45,000 to ECO Animal Health Group plc (2020: £77,000) and £540,000 to ECO Animal Health Limited (2020:  930,000).

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

31  Related party transactions (continued)

Key management compensation

The Group regards the Board of Directors as its key management.

 

 

2021

2020

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

Salaries and short-term benefits

1,092

858

Retirement benefits

33

26

Share-based payments

1

70

 

1,126

954

 

The number of Directors for which retirement benefits were accruing was 2 (2020: 4).

 

32.  Financial instruments

The Group uses financial instruments comprising borrowings, cash and cash equivalents and various items, such as trade receivables, trade payables etc. that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Group's operations. The Directors are responsible for the overall risk management.

 

The main risks arising from the Group's use of financial instruments are capital and liquidity risk, credit risk and foreign currency risks and they are summarised below. The policies have remained unchanged throughout the year.

Capital and liquidity risk

The Group manages its capital to ensure continuity as a going concern whilst maximising returns through the optimisation of debt and equity. As part of this, the Board considers the cost and risk associated with each class of capital. The capital structure of the Group consists of cash and cash equivalents in note 20, borrowings in note 22 and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Group's statement of changes in equity.

 

Liquidity risk is managed by maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities with continuous monitoring of the latest developments by management.

The Group's objectives when maintaining capital are:

to safeguard the entity's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders; and

to provide an adequate return to shareholders by pricing products and services commensurately with the level of risk.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

32.  Financial instruments (continued)

The Group sets the amount of capital it requires in proportion to risk. The group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares, or sell assets to reduce debt.

As an AIM quoted company, our governance framework is underpinned by the AIM Rules and the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the 'QCA Code'). In addition to the QCA Code, we monitor developments and guidance in the UK Corporate Governance Code, applicable to main market listed companies, to keep abreast of matters which we feel could also be embedded as best practice as part of a progressive approach. We also review the Investment Association guidelines and seek to comply with these where applicable.

 

At 31 March 2021, the Group was contractually obliged to make repayments as detailed below:

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

Within one year or on demand

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

 

 

7,918

7,608

Other payables

 

 

 

683

2,093

Accruals

 

 

 

3,765

4,191

Borrowings

 

 

 

-

2,032

 

 

 

 

12,366

15,924

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is that of financial loss as a result of default by a counterparty on its contractual obligations. The Group's exposure to credit risk arises principally in relation to trade receivables from customers and on short term bank deposits. Customers' creditworthiness is wherever possible checked against independent rating databases and filing authorities, or otherwise assessed on the basis of trade knowledge and experience. Exposure and customer credit limits are continually monitored both on specific debts and overall.

 

The credit risk in relation to short term bank deposits is limited because the counterparties are banks with good credit ratings.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202132.  Financial instruments (continued)

The Group operates in certain geographical areas which are from time to time subject to restrictions in the free movement of funds. The Board seeks to minimise the Group's exposure to these markets but the nature of our business makes it impossible to eliminate this exposure completely.

None of those receivables has been subject to a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition and, consequently, 12-month expected credit losses have been recognised, and there are no non-current receivable balances lifetime expected credit losses.

Currency risk

The Group operates in overseas markets particularly through its subsidiaries in China, Brazil, Mexico, the USA and Japan as well as its joint operation in Canada and is therefore subject to currency exposure on transactions undertaken during the year. The Group does some simple economic hedging of receivables when the Board feels it is appropriate to do so and foreign exchange differences on retranslation of foreign monetary items are recorded in administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

The table below shows the extent to which the Group companies have monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than in Sterling:

Foreign currency of Group operations:

 

 

 

US Dollar

Euros

Chinese RMB

Japanese Yen

Brazilian Real

Canadian Dollar

Mexican Peso

Other

2021

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

8,063

1,749

17,783

160

359

533

1,849

175

Trade and other payables

(3,773)

(757)

(5,273)

(64)

(74)

(498)

(87)

(134)

Cash and cash equivalents

2,331

248

14,140

271

1,165

305

217

58

Total

6,621

1,240

26,650

367

1,450

340

1,979

99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Dollar

Euros

Chinese RMB

Japanese Yen

Brazilian Real

Canadian Dollar

Mexican Peso

Other

2020

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

12,850

2,875

6,650

837

2,230

511

1,472

3

Trade and other payables

(1,183)

(12)

(3,375)

(233)

(131)

(129)

(329)

(1)

Cash and cash equivalents

4,527

525

5,609

80

360

452

200

123

Total

16,194

3,388

8,884

684

2,459

834

1,343

125

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202132.  Financial instruments (continued)

At 31 March 2021 the Group was mainly exposed to the US Dollar, Euro, Chinese RMB, Japanese Yen, Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollar and Mexican Peso. The following table details the effect of a 10% movement in the exchange rate of these currencies against sterling when applied to outstanding monetary items denominated in foreign currency as at 31 March 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

U S Dollar

 

 

 

736

1,799

Euro

 

 

 

138

376

Chinese RMB

 

 

 

2,961

987

Japanese Yen

 

 

 

41

76

Brazilian Real

 

 

 

161

273

Canadian Dollar

 

 

 

38

93

Mexican Peso

 

 

 

220

149

 

Analysis of financial instruments by category

 

Group

 

 

 

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Total

2021

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

 

 

31,526

-

31,526

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

19,523

-

19,523

Trade and other payables

 

 

-

(12,416)

(12,416)

Amounts due under leases

 

 

-

(1,522)

(1,522)

Borrowings

 

 

 

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

 

 

27,858

 

27,858

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

11,877

-

11,877

Trade and other payables

 

 

-

(13,892)

(13,892)

Amounts due under leases

 

 

-

(1,766)

(1,766)

Borrowings

 

 

 

-

(2,032)

(2,032)

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

32.  Financial instruments (Continued)

Analysis of financial instruments by category (continued)

 

Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Total

2021

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

 

 

69

-

69

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

819

-

819

Trade and other payables

 

 

-

(574)

(574)

Amounts due under leases

 

 

-

(39)

(39)

Borrowings

 

 

 

-

-

-

Amounts due from group undertakings

 

55,909

 

55,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

£000's

£000's

£000's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

 

 

30

-

30

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

177

-

177

Trade and other payables

 

 

-

(567)

(567)

Amounts due under leases

 

 

-

(29)

(29)

Borrowings

 

 

 

-

(2,001)

(2,001)

Amounts due from group undertakings

 

59,295

 

59,295

 

 

All financial assets and liabilities in the Group's and Company's statements of financial position are classified as held at amortised cost for both the current and previous year.

 

33.  Post balance sheet events

 

 

Retirement of the Chief Executive Officer

Marc Loomes, who joined ECO Animal Health Group plc in 2004, became Managing Director in 2005 and CEO in 2010, has informed the Board that he plans to retire on the 31 December 2022.

 

The Board has commenced a process with a leading executive search consultancy to identify and appoint a successor to take over from Marc during the 2022-23 financial year.

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