Statement of Atlantic Veal and Lamb on Suspension of Ability to Export

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- "We sincerely regret that we shipped product not approved for export to Japan. Our company shipped this product in response to an order by a Japanese customer.

The product we shipped is safe and is widely consumed in the U.S. marketplace. Were this product shipped to San Francisco, there would be no question about its safety. But because we shipped it to Japan, and because it contained bones that are not accepted by the Japanese, we have now been prohibited from exporting to Japan.

We are absolutely confident that the product is safe. However, we regret that there was a misinterpretation of the export requirements and an honest mistake involving a very small amount of product that has led to this degree of concern. It is important to note that Atlantic Veal produces veal derived from very young animals -- animals that have never tested positive for BSE. We estimate that the veal we shipped came from animals who were less than 4 1/2 months of age.

We will cooperate fully with USDA to provide any information they require to ensure that our company is in fully compliance with all inspection regulations and that our export programs going forward operate in a way that is fully consistent with export requirements."

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: