Trading Statement

Carr's Milling Industries PLC
19 March 2001

 
CARR'S MILLING INDUSTRIES PLC
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE HITS CARRS
 
 
Carr's Milling Industries PLC ('Carrs' or the 'Company') the Cumbria-based
agriculture, food and engineering business, announces that the foot and mouth
disease outbreak is having a significant impact on its business, a key element
of which is the supply of animal feed, fertiliser and agricultural equipment
and goods. The months of February, March and April traditionally comprise the
most important trading period for both fertiliser and feed. Over 50 per cent.
of the confirmed cases of foot and mouth disease have been located in the
geographic area in which Carrs trades, viz the North of England and Scotland.
The longer term impact of the outbreak on Carrs business cannot currently be
assessed. However, the Company's US feedblock business and its flour milling
business will not be affected. The engineering business is likely to
experience some degree of disruption.

We are continuing to work closely with the relevant authorities and to
cooperate with and support our many distressed customers. We share in their
growing frustration at being caught up in another disaster for UK agriculture.
Although trading in the half year to 3 March 2001 was ahead of the Company's
internal budgets and ahead of the first half of 1999/2000, the result for the
full year to 1 September 2001 is now expected to fall significantly short of
market expectations.

Enquiries:
Carr's Milling Industries PLC       Tel: [phone]
Chris Holmes (Chief Executive)
Bankside Consultants Limited        Tel: [phone]
Charles Ponsonby