Basel, Switzerland
May 10, 2004

Syngenta announced today that it has filed for registration of a new selective herbicide with the registration code 407 in three major markets. After filing for registration in the USA and Canada, the filing in the European Union has now been completed.

The new herbicide will control weeds in barley and wheat. First sales are targeted for 2006, subject to registration. The cereal herbicide market is estimated at more than $1.7 billion across Europe and in North America.[1]

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 2003 were approximately $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

[1] Source: Phillips McDougall, 2002 estimates