RNS Number:5462Q
Syngenta AG 
06 October 2003


Media Release - Communique aux Medias - Medienmitteilung


EU to re-register Paraquat

Basel, Switzerland, 6 October 2003

Syngenta today announced that as part of the EU re-registration process for crop
protection products, the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain & Animal Health
(SCFA) voted to include the non-selective herbicide Paraquat for Annex 1
listing, which allows for continued registration of paraquat products in EU
countries.

This decision affirms recommendations for approval by the Commission and
Rapporteur Member State and a positive opinion by the EU Scientific Committee on
Plants.

"Syngenta welcomes this science-based conclusion, which continues to give
European farmers a very valuable and environmentally friendly tool for their
crop protection needs," said Piet Smits, Regional Head of Syngenta Crop
Protection in Europe. "The decision  underlines the safety of our product for
users, consumers, and the environment."

Paraquat, under the Syngenta trademark GRAMOXONE(R), has been used safely and
effectively by farmers in some 120 countries worldwide for more than 40 years.
The herbicide plays a key role in the development of minimum tillage practices
and is used increasingly to reduce soil erosion and maintain water quality. Its
unique characteristics make it an invaluable tool in sustainable agricultural
systems. In developing countries, its use has released huge amounts of labor
from arduous and time consuming hand-weeding, allowing families, particularly
women and children, to take advantage of opportunities outside manual
agricultural work. Syngenta conducts strong stewardship programs, which promote
safe handling of crop protection products.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture
through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop
protection and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in
2002 were approximately US $6.2 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in
over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in
London (SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN). Further information is
available at www.syngenta.com.



For further information please contact:

Michael Stopford, Basel, Switzerland             +41 61 323 68 19




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