23 September 2021

Benchmark Holdings plc

("Benchmark" or the "Company")

Environmental recognition for CleanTreat®

Benchmark's CleanTreat® system receives highest recognition for environmental protection

and sustainability from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council

Benchmark Holdings, the aquaculture biotechnology company, is pleased to announce that the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the world's leading independent certification scheme for farmed aquaculture, confirmed a score of 'zero' for its cutting-edge CleanTreat® system. ASC plays a vital role in maintaining the strictest environmental and welfare standards in the industry and this is the highest level of recognition that it awards for environmental protection and sustainability.

Following an extensive review, the ASC included CleanTreat® as a mitigation tool in its current 'Weighted Number of Medicinal Treatments'. ASC concluded that any treatments performed in a closed contained system, that then applies water purification steps to remove the veterinary medicine, will receive a score of 'zero' - the best score possible.

This news represents a major milestone for Benchmark and is an encouraging endorsement of its CleanTreat® system. An ASC scoring of 'zero' for Benchmark's CleanTreat® system will support farmers in meeting key ASC criteria, providing a valuable tool, which does not increase the 'Weighted Number of Medicinal Treatments'. Importantly, this allows farmers to use Integrated Pest Management strategies, which are crucial to effective and robust sea lice management. The effective use of Benchmark's CleanTreat® will further enable the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry whilst protecting the surrounding environment.

CleanTreat® is a cutting-edge water purification system that removes medicines from treatment water before safely returning cleaned water to the sea. CleanTreat® also removes the organic material from treatment water including sea lice, egg strings, fish scales and faecal matter - an essential step in combating parasitic resistance to medicines. Benchmark's Ectosan® Vet treatment, launched in combination with CleanTreat®, received Marketing Authorisation from the Norwegian Medicines Agency in July 2021. The Company's first CleanTreat® unit is currently in operation and its Ectosan® Vet sea lice treatments were commenced for customers during August 2021.

Trond Williksen, CEO, commented:

"Our mission is to drive sustainability in aquaculture and we are delighted to have received the highest recognition possible by the ASC for our CleanTreat® system. We are proud to help farmers and the wider industry take a responsible approach to medicine use and are excited to play a major role in driving sustainability across the industry."

Enquiries:

Katie Hunt, Reg Hoare, Alistair de Kare-Silver                                            [email protected]

About Benchmark 

Benchmark is a leading aquaculture biotechnology company. Benchmark's mission is to enable aquaculture producers to improve their sustainability and profitability.

We bring together biology and technology to develop innovative products and solutions which improve yield, quality and animal health and welfare for our customers. We do this by improving the genetic make-up, health and nutrition of their stock - from broodstock and hatchery through to nursery and grow out.

Benchmark has a broad portfolio of products and solutions, including salmon eggs, live feed (Artemia), specialist diets and probiotics and sea lice treatments. Find out more at www.benchmarkplc.com