RNS Number:9500L
Syngenta AG 
05 June 2003


Media Release - Communique aux Medias - Medienmitteilung


Syngenta CEO to head up CropLife

Basel, Switzerland, June 5, 2003

Michael Pragnell, CEO of Syngenta has been named as the new president of
CropLife International - the global association for the plant science industry.
The appointment, which takes effect today, will run for a term of two years.

Mr. Pragnell's keynote address at the CropLife International annual conference
in Brussels focused on the role of agricultural technology. He specifically
outlined the current challenges facing the industry and proposed strategies for
the future.

The following are excerpts from his address:

"Crop protection has had a significant role over the past four decades in
feeding the world, reducing mortality and increasing the availability of fresh,
healthy food -- there are those who would argue that our industry has made as
great a contribution to human health as pharmaceuticals."

"Today the opportunity for us is even greater; in the developed world, we face
an ageing population with soaring health preoccupations and costs, and consumers
beset by health and dietary concerns. In the developing world, nutrition is
critical. For the future, the promise of technology will allow our industry to
become ever more active and effective."

"In considering our future mission I believe there is one overarching theme that
can help guide our path ahead - consumer health, public health and global health
issues."

CropLife International is the global federation representing the plant science
industry. It supports a network of 75 regional and national associations and
their member companies worldwide, led by companies such as BASF, Bayer
CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, Dupont, FMC, Monsanto, Sumitomo and Syngenta.
CropLife International promotes the benefits of crop protection and
biotechnology products and their importance to sustainable agriculture and food
production.

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), London
(SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN). Further information is available at
www.syngenta.com.






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