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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A

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Re:	SYNGENTA AG
	Press Release: Syngenta refutes Monsanto lawsuit as totally without merit
Filed herewith is a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release follows:

 

 

 

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Item 1

		Syngenta International AG Media Office CH-4002 Basel Switzerland
		Telephone: Fax:	+41 61 323 23 23 +41 61 323 24 24
		www.syngenta.com
Media Release

Syngenta refutes Monsanto lawsuit as totally without merit

Basel, Switzerland, 13 May 2004

Syngenta has announced today that it considers a lawsuit filed against it by US competitor Monsanto as groundless.

“This case is totally without merit,” said David Jones, Head of Business Development at Syngenta. “We are delighted to have secured worldwide ownership of commercially proven glyphosate tolerance technology for corn which we intend to make available to growers in the 2005 season. We are entirely satisfied with our decision and have the intellectual property rights we need to commercialize this product. Monsanto's lawsuit is a flagrant attempt to intimidate customers and restrict choice in the market.”

Syngenta had announced on 12 May that it had acquired rights to a commercially successful glyphosate tolerance technology in corn from Bayer CropScience. The technology, called GA21, enables farmers to control weeds in corn with post emergence applications of the non-selective herbicide glyphosate. Syngenta will offer the technology in its NK^® brand hybrids, through the Garst brand¹ and through licenses with other seed companies from 2005.

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). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

Analyst/Investor Enquiries:	Jonathan Seabrook (Switzerland)	+41 61 323 7502
	Jennifer Gough (Switzerland)	+41 61 323 5059
	Rhonda Chiger (USA)	+1 (917) 322 2569
Media Enquiries:	Markus Payer (Switzerland)	+41 61 323 2323
	Sarah Hull (USA)	+1 (202) 347 8348

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore.

 

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¹ Subject to the regulatory approval of the acquisition of Garst by Syngenta as announced on 12 May 2004

Syngenta – 13 May 2004 / Page 1 of 1

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		SYNGENTA AG
Date:	May 13, 2004	By:	/s/ Damian Heller
			Name:	Damian Heller
			Title:	Company Secretary
		By:	/s/ Daniel Michaelis
			Name:	Daniel Michaelis
			Title:	Senior Corporate Counsel