Chinese sickness pulls down ECO Animal Health

The share price of AIM-listed veterinary group ECO Animal Health (LON:EAH) has fallen by 26.05% to 264p (as of 13:20 GMT) after it said that African Swine Flu had continued to negatively impact trading during the six months to 30th September. The disease has led to challenging conditions in the key Chinese markets and means that results for the half year will be below the equivalent period of 2018.

CEO Marc Loomes commented: “ASF continues to have a major impact on our business in China, but I am pleased with the progress we are making in other territories which goes some way to mitigating this. Our interim results to be released in December will clearly describe any changes to our financial reporting following a significant project to ensure ECO is reporting appropriately and leading with best practice. Finally, I am delighted that Andy Jones has agreed to become permanent Chairman and we look forward to expanding the expertise management can tap into through the appointment of an additional independent NED in due course“.