Basel, Switzerland
March 21,  2001

Syngenta AG announced today that it has signed agreements on the sale of its global flutriafol fungicide business. Cheminova A/S will pay an initial US$15 million for the product, which is marketed in Europe, Latin America and Australasia under the brand names Impact® and Vincit®. Cheminova will also buy the stocks of the business at cost. Syngenta is making this divestment in order to satisfy conditions imposed by the European Commission in connection with the recent merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals to form Syngenta.

Flutriafol protects both crops and seeds from fungal diseases. Farmers use the compound in a wide range of settings, primarily for cereals and arable crops. When applied as a seed treatment, flutriafol offers systemic protection against soil- and seed-borne diseases. Flutriafol is a former
Zeneca product first marketed in 1984.
 
This represents the last major divestment by Syngenta to satisfy the conditions of the merger which was completed last November.

Syngenta is the world's leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection, and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Pro forma sales in 2000 were approximately US $6.9 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Formed in November 2000 by the merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals, Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, and in London, New York and Stockholm. Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. 

Company news release
N3396a