Memphis, TN -- Friday, April 2, 2004 --New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has accredited GeneScan USA, Inc. for Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) testing.  As part of its Plants Biosecurity Program, MAF accredits international laboratories to test seed being imported into New Zealand for the presence of unapproved GMOs.  GeneScan USA has been officially recognized as competent to provide service in accordance with MAF standards and has received full accreditation for testing protocols for sweetcorn and maize, oilseed rape, and soybean seed.  GeneScan USA is currently the only MAF accredited laboratory in the US and one of only three MAF accredited laboratories worldwide.

One of the goals of the MAF Biosecurity Authority is to facilitate the import of plant material/s into New Zealand while managing risks to plant and animal health.  With MAF’s accreditation, GeneScan USA can provide GMO testing on plant material in a manner demonstrated to be compliant with MAF requirements.  Thus, companies sending plant material to New Zealand now have access to pre-shipment testing in the US that can minimize the risk of noncompliance with New Zealand’s biosecurity regulations related to GMOs.

Background Information:
GeneScan USA, Inc., strategically located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the U.S. analytical arm of GeneScan Europe, AG, a publicly traded company based in Freiburg, Germany (www.genescan.com). GeneScan is the world market leader in the molecular biological analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMO analysis) in food, feed, seed, and raw materials.  The company offers a broad portfolio of GMO analytical services, test kits, and GMO related consulting, including Identity Preservation (IP) and Traceability Systems.  GeneScan has established a global network of subsidiaries and licensees on four continents.  GeneScan became part of the Eurofins Scientific Group in 2003 after a successful friendly take-over bid in which Eurofins Scientific acquired a majority ownership (68.3%) of GeneScan AG.

Eurofins Scientific is a biotechnology company operating internationally to provide a comprehensive range of bioanalytical support services. The Group specializes in delivering analytical testing services to clients from a wide range of industries including the food, feed, petfood, animal health, molecular biology and dietary supplement sectors. The Eurofins Group aims to become a world market leader in this field of applied life sciences and is pursuing a dynamic expansion strategy to add to both, its technology portfolio and its geographic reach.

With over 2,000 staff in more than 50 laboratories across 11 countries and a portfolio of around 5,000 reliable analytical methods for proving the authenticity, origin, safety, identity, and purity of biological substances, Eurofins Scientific is already a leading global provider of bioanalytical services. The Group is committed to supporting its clients’ objective of ensuring that their products reach the best possible quality and safety levels in all markets in which they operate.

Eurofins U.S. locations include Memphis, TN; Des Moines, IA; Petaluma, CA; Metairie, LA; North Little Rock, AR.

Further details concerning MAF’s GMO activities can be found at:
http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/rural-nz/research-and-development/biotechnology/gm-and-maf/index.htm
http://www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/imports/plants/genetically-modified-organisms.htm
http://www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/imports/plants/accredited-facilities.htm

For further information please contact:

Eurofins Scientific Inc.
Thomas W. Burnell
(President & CEO)
Phone: 901.272.7511
E-mail: Info@EurofinsUS.com
Web: www.eurofinsus.com            

GeneScan USA, Inc.
J. Michael Russell
(President)
Phone: 504.297.4330
E-mail: mrussell@gmotesting.com
Web: www.gmotesting.com

Important Disclaimer:
This press release might contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent he judgment of Eurofins Scientific as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, and the forward-looking events discussed in this release may not occur. Eurofins Scientific disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.