Basel,
Switzerland
October 4, 2003
Syngenta Crop Protection has learned
that atrazine and its sister herbicide simazine were not granted
re-registration in the European Union (EU). Atrazine and
simazine are corn herbicides used by growers worldwide. This
decision was taken by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain
and Animal Health (SCFA), the EU regulatory body.
Syngenta regrets this decision as it
overrides the science-based process for product registration.
* A favorable EU science review
demonstrated the safety of the products to humans and the
environment as part of the EU registration process
* Corn growers world-wide depend on
effective and economic weed control; this has been safely
provided by atrazine and simazine for over 45 years.
* Syngenta continues to stand behind the
safety of these products and will support them throughout the
world.
In important European markets such as
Germany and Italy where atrazine and simazine are not sold,
Syngenta already sells alternatives, which will be extended to
other European countries. Although these are not equivalent
products, they will help mitigate the impact of the EU decision
on corn growers.
Once the final decision of the SCFA is
available for review, Syngenta will carefully examine its
options for atrazine and simazine in the EU.
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
