Basel, Switzerland
April 23, 2002

At Syngenta's first Annual General Meeting in Basel, Switzerland, Syngenta AG shareholders approved all the motions proposed by the Board of Directors. The 1,154 shareholders represented 36,024,949 voting shares or 32% of 112,564,584 total shares issued. The Annual General Meeting approved the Board of Directors' proposal for a dividend payment of CHF 0.80 gross per share.

The Annual General Meeting approved the annual report, the annual financial statements and the consolidated financial statement for 2001. Martin Taylor, Peter Thompson, Rolf Watter and Felix Weber were each re-elected to the Board of Directors for a three-year term of office; Pedro Reiser was elected to the Board of Directors for a one-year term of office and Rupert Gasser for a two-year term of office. Ernst & Young AG were appointed as auditors to Syngenta AG and as group auditors for the financial year 2002.

Heinz Imhof, Chairman of Board of Directors of Syngenta, said the company had achieved satisfactory results last year despite merger-related challenges and difficult markets. "Last year Syngenta had to deal with difficult agricultural markets and a global downturn. We responded quickly to manage the situation," he said. Despite lower sales, Syngenta improved its EBITDA margin and maintained net income. Margins increased through accelerated synergy-related cost savings.

Commenting on the merger and strategy of Syngenta, Mr. Imhof said those companies wholly focused on agribusiness would be well positioned for long- term success. Syngenta's first-class research and development would bring innovation to the market. "The merger to form Syngenta has given us a strong global presence and a leading product portfolio that is unique in its breadth," he said.

Michael Pragnell, CEO of Syngenta, said a recovery from the difficult market conditions in agribusiness was unlikely in the near term. However, first quarter performance indicates that barring further unfavorable currency movements, synergy realization would result in some margin improvement in 2002.

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.