Syngenta receives approval for breakthrough corn trait technology in the U.S.

Basel, Switzerland

* MIR162, Agrisure Viptera™ trait, deregulated by USDA
* Agrisure Viptera™ 3111 trait stack offers growers unprecedented multi-pest insect control
* Further strengthens Agrisure® traits offering from Syngenta

Syngenta announced today that it received deregulation of MIR162, the Agrisure Viptera trait, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The trait will be combined with the Agrisure 3000GT trait stack to provide corn growers with broad-spectrum, insect control and glyphosate tolerance for maximum convenience and productivity.

“The Agrisure Viptera trait is a truly innovative technology that will be the cornerstone of Syngenta’s insect control solutions,” said Davor Pisk, Chief Operating Officer Syngenta Seeds. “It provides a new mode of action that has demonstrated a level of pest control and yield performance previously unseen in our industry.”

The Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack delivers unsurpassed above ground pest control of 14 yield- and quality-robbing insects, including corn earworm, fall armyworm, Western bean cutworm and sugarcane borer. The technology has the power to help U.S. corn growers avoid an estimated 238 million bushels of corn and $1.1 billion in annual yield and grain quality losses due to multi-pest damage1.

Syngenta plans to commercialize hybrids containing the Agrisure Viptera trait for the 2011 growing season. MIR162 has already been approved for cultivation in Canada and Brazil.

For more information about the Agrisure Viptera trait and the Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack, visit www.agrisuretraits.com.

About Syngenta

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading companies with more than 25,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com .

Agrisure®, Agrisure Viptera™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

1Sources: Census 2007 USDA, USDA Risk Management Agency‘s internal indemnity database. Aflatoxin Center of Excellence of the South, Syngenta Entomology Research.

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