Basel, Switzerland
March 19, 2003

Syngenta (NYSE: SYT - News) today announced that Richard Steiblin has decided to resign from the
company at the end of May 2003. With effect from June 1, 2003, Domenico Scala is appointed Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Syngenta Executive Committee.

Domenico Scala joins Syngenta from F. Hoffmann-La Roche where he held a number of senior financial positions, most recently as Group Treasurer. He previously worked for Panalpina - Milan (Italy) SpA and Nestle SA. He studied Economics at the University of Basel in Switzerland with a
specialization in Corporate Finance; he is 37 years of age and is fluent in German, English, French and Italian. Domenico lives near Basel and has two children.

Michael Pragnell, Chief Executive Officer said: "I would like to thank Richard Steiblin for his commitment to Syngenta throughout the merger and during its first two financial years. I wish him well for the future." He continued: "I am particularly pleased that we have been able to appoint a new CFO of Domenico Scala's caliber. My colleagues and I look forward to working with him as we continue to build Syngenta as a world-leading agribusiness."

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness. 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. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in London (SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN).