RNS Number:5783R
Syngenta AG 
03 November 2003


Media Release - Communique aux Medias - Medienmitteilung


Syngenta improves safe use of crop protection products in China



Basel, Switzerland, November 3, 2003

Syngenta has recently introduced a new method of dispensing crop protection
products as part of a worldwide strategy to further improve the safe and
effective use of its products and reduce environmental impact.

The pilot scheme in China enables farmers to purchase crop protection products
in small quantities from their local retailer using a leak-proof, convenient
packaging and delivery system. By using the patented PortA Pac Delivery SystemTM
instead of storing and decanting pesticides from large containers, farmers will
now be able to refill a "shuttle pack" to purchase the exact amount they need
for immediate use, thereby helping cash flow for smallholders.

"With the launch of this innovative dispensing system, we can go some way to
advancing the economies of rural communities and ensure safety - two important
goals of sustainable agriculture," said John Barnes, Head of Syngenta China.

The reusable shuttle pack cuts in half the amount of packaging waste, and a
further advantage is that it helps to avoid the risk of mistaken ingestion as a
result of improper decanting and storage in drinking containers.

PortA Pac addresses another serious problem: counterfeit crop protection
products. As well as quality issues for users, counterfeit products can present
safety concerns due to hazardous impurities. The herbicide GRAMOXONE(R), for
example, is manufactured to exact specifications and contains built-in safety
features to prevent accidental ingestion. Illegally produced alternatives may
not always have such features.

Following its launch in China, Syngenta will explore distribution of the PortA
Pac system in other regions.

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 www.syngenta.com.




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