It wasn’t a great day for producers or fans of omega-3 fatty acids yesterday, with new research showing a link between the health supplements and an increased risk of men developing prostate cancer.

It's unfortunate news all round, although the decision-makers at agribusiness group Origin may be allowing themselves a small sigh of relief.

Origin, which grew out of IAWS, agreed barely a week ago to sell its half of a fish and omega-3 oil joint venture to its partner in the business, Norwegian firm Austevoil.

The two companies got together in 2009, merging similar operations, with Origin deciding to pull out to focus more closely on its core agri-business activities.

Austevoil has agreed, subject to competition approval, to pay €93 million for Origin’s share.

From a commercial timing perspective, it doesn’t get much better.

Let’s just hope the dotted lines were all signed particularly carefully.