Ridley Inc.: Ruling Allows Quebec Class Authorisation Hearing To Proceed

Market Wire, July, 2006

In a decision released Friday, July 14, the Quebec Court of Appeal denied Ridley Inc. (TSX: RCL)( www.ridleyinc.com ) leave to appeal the June 2, 2006 Quebec Superior Court's refusal to stay the proposed class action lawsuit against Ridley and the Government of Canada in the province of Quebec. The Government of Canada was also denied leave to appeal.

Last week's ruling by the Quebec Court of Appeal allows the Quebec case to proceed to the class authorisation stage while appeals by all of the parties are pending in the parallel Ontario case.

Ridley had sought to appeal the Quebec Superior Court's refusal to stay the Quebec proceedings because it believed that ruling was in error and raised important public interest issues and novel points of law regarding the judicial management of multi-jurisdictional, quasi-identical class actions. While denying Ridley's motion for leave to appeal at this time, the Quebec Court of Appeal last week did indicate that the serious and novel questions at issue can be argued again by Ridley at later stages in the litigation.

Early dismissal of the lawsuits remains Ridley's primary goal and the Company will continue to fully defend against the claims as long as the case continues.

Ridley Inc., headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota and Winnipeg, Manitoba, is one of North America's leading commercial animal nutrition companies. Ridley manufactures and/or distributes a full range of animal nutrition products under a number of highly regarded trade names.

Contacts: RIDLEY Inc. Steven J. VanRoekel President & CEO (507) 388-9618 www.ridleyinc.com