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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
12.19.2005 ET
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Millions to Benefit From Intervet Project in India
Akzo Nobel's animal healthcare business, Intervet, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to exclusively supply veterinary products for a special project in India which could benefit more than two million rural families.
(CSRwire) Arnhem, the Netherlands - Akzo Nobel's animal healthcare
business, Intervet, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to
exclusively supply veterinary products for a special project in India
which could benefit more than two million rural families.
The partnership, with Indian NGO the BAIF Development Research Foundation,
involves Intervet India providing products to BAIF, who in turn will make
them available to small-scale farmers via their extensive network of Dairy
Cattle Breeding Centers (CBC). A number of livestock disease diagnostic
centers will also be established.
A voluntary organization established in 1967, BAIF operates more than
1,200 CBCs in nine states, with each center serving up to 12 villages and
1,500 families. The aim of the collaboration is to offer self-employed
farmers in remote villages access to vital veterinary products--at a fair
price--through the existing network of CBCs for the benefit of the rural
livestock sector.
"Many of India's farmers have limited access to quality veterinary
products," explained General Manager of Intervet, Ruurd Stolp. "Improving
animal health through this project will help to boost livestock
performance and support the livelihoods of farmers who often don't have
the means to use this kind of assistance."
The agreement with BAIF will begin with a three-month trial in Gujarat and
Karnataka, where around 250,000 families will have access to Intervet
India's livestock range, including vaccines and anti-infectives. Once the
trial is over in early 2006, an evaluation and fine-tuning will take
place. The project will then be extended nationwide to cover all the
CBCs.
"Socially responsible business development has a key role to play in our
global activities," said Akzo Nobel CEO Hans Wijers. "This contract--which
will make our animal healthcare products more widely available throughout
the country--will have a positive and sustainable impact for all
concerned. Intervet India has established a number of initiatives designed
to meet the needs of the local community and the BAIF agreement is further
proof of the importance we attach to developing all aspects of our
Corporate Social Responsibility efforts."
Established as a public charitable trust by Dr. Manibhai Desai, BAIF is
headquartered in Pune and employs trained vets and paravets at its CBCs,
who visit farmers to offer support and animal healthcare assistance.
"Our mission is to create opportunities for gainful self-employment among
rural families, especially the disadvantaged," said BAIF President Dr.
N.G. Hegde. "The aim of this project will be to promote good animal
health, low production costs, clean milk and improved fertility. By
setting up this partnership with Intervet India, we will also help farmers
to create a more sustainable livelihood and ultimately establish a more
self-reliant and vibrant rural economy."
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Note for the editor
Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the
world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Listed on both the
Euronext and NASDAQ Stock Exchanges, the company is a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index. Consolidated revenues for 2004 totaled EUR
12.7 billion. The company currently employs some 62,000 people in more
than 80 countries. The financial results for 2005 will be published on
February 7, 2006.
Internet: www.akzonobel.com; www.intervet.com
Safe Harbor Statement*
This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as
Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions,
product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product
approvals. Such statements, including but not limited to the "Outlook",
should be carefully considered and it should be understood that many
factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price
fluctuations, currency fluctuations, developments in raw material and
personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues,
and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. These factors also
include changes in regulations or interpretations related to the
implementation and reporting under IFRS, decisions to apply a different
option of presentation permitted by IFRS, and various other factors
related to the implementation of IFRS, including the implementation of IAS
32 and 39 for financial instruments. Stated competitive positions are based
on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized
external agencies. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors
affecting our business please refer to our Annual Report on Form 20-F
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of
which can be found on the Company's website www.akzonobel.com.
* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.
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