Greensboro, North Carolina
March 11, 2002

Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. today filed a civil suit in Federal District Court in Delaware against Monsanto Company of St. Louis, Mo., in response to false and misleading claims by Monsanto about its own Roundup(R) herbicide and Syngenta's Touchdown(R) herbicide.

The lawsuit seeks to remedy false and misleading advertising and promotional practices, trademark infringement and misuse, product disparagement and trade libel, among other claims. Syngenta launched its complaint amidst a continuing promotional campaign by Monsanto containing false and misleading claims about the efficacy of the Touchdown(R) with IQ Technology(R) brand and its safety on Roundup Ready(R) (RR(TM)) crops.

"Monsanto is deliberately attempting to create confusion in the marketplace between Syngenta's Touchdown 5 herbicide and Touchdown herbicide with IQ Technology," said Vince Alventosa, vice president and general counsel for Syngenta Crop Protection. "Our suit is designed to prevent such misleading advertising claims and to set the record straight." 

Touchdown 5 herbicide was granted a label extension by EPA in 1999 for use over RR soybeans only. Touchdown herbicide with IQ Technology was registered by EPA in 2000 for use over RR soybeans, cotton and corn as a replacement for Touchdown 5.

Syngenta (NYSE: SYT) is a world-leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2001 were approximately US $6.3 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange and in London, New York and Stockholm. 

Touchdown(R) and IQ Technology(TM) are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.
Roundup(R), Roundup Ready(R) and RR(TM) are trademarks of Monsanto Company.