Since the publication of a storyregarding the future ofVitis International, the UK-based JV between Colors Fruit (UK) and AMC-owned Special New Fruit Licensing (SNFL), the latter party - which initially declined to comment when approached by FPJ - and Sheehan Genetics have made the following statement:
'In the article, it is stated that the winding up of Vitis was against the wishes of Colors UK. In fact Colors UK, of which Mr Riann van Wyk is a director, supported the winding up petition presented by SNFL.
'The article also initially stated that 'the breeding programme of Vitis, which started in 2008, includes the Sheehan varieties, such as Allison, Melody and Magenta.'
'This is not true. Sheehan owns and controls all IP and plant material in its varieties and specifically none of them, including the three mentioned in the article, belong to Vitis or are part of the Vitis breeding programme.
'Further, insofar as any Sheehan plant material was used in the Vitis breeding programme, this was done under agreement between Vitis and Sheehan, and Sheehan has a claim against any new varieties that were bred by Vitis using the Sheehan material. The liquidator of Vitis has been put on notice of the Sheehan claim.'
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