Deadline for Virginia Tobacco Trust Phase II Verification and Application Forms is October 21

RICHMOND (October 9, 2002) -- The Virginia Tobacco Trust Certification Board, Inc. (Phase II) reminds all tobacco producers and quota owners who received a 2002 verification for payment form or application of the October 21 postmark deadline. There will be no deadline extension or second round of payments this year.

Virginia tobacco producers and quota owners can expect their payments to arrive in late December 2002 or early January 2003. Applicants with questions or concerns concerning the Phase II program may call the Mellon Investor Services hotline at 1-800-736-7197 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Phase II is the National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust negotiated between the tobacco growing states and cigarette manufacturers. More than $60 million was distributed to Virginia tobacco producers and quota owners in 1999, 2000 and 2001. More than $25 million will be paid out to Phase II applicants this year.