Pioneer to Treat its New Soybean Varieties with CruiserMaxx(TM) Beans

GREENSBORO, N.C. and DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7, 2008 - In 2008, the newly released soybean varieties introduced by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, will be treated with a CruiserMaxx™ Beans brand seed treatment from Syngenta Seed Care, offering soybean growers a powerful combination of traits and pest protection.

"Pioneer is launching the most exciting class of new soybean products in our history," said Don Schafer, senior marketing manager, Pioneer Hi-Bred. "To maximize the high yield potential of our new variety releases, we are treating all of them with CruiserMaxx Beans to amplify early-season disease protection and protect the varieties from pests such as bean leaf beetle and soybean aphid."

The new varieties from Pioneer will offer performance a step above current market-leading varieties along with resistance and tolerance to many key pests. The automatic application of CruiserMaxx Beans to these new varieties will help protect the genetic yield potential in every seed.

"Syngenta Seed Care is excited to be teaming up with Pioneer to offer soybean growers this valuable package of genetics and on-the-seed pest protection," said Mark Jirak, crop manager, Syngenta Seed Care. "Since 2005, CruiserMaxx Beans has been effectively protecting high-value soybean seed against a wide range of early-season insects and diseases that have the ability to seriously damage genetic yield potential. Pioneer's commitment to treat these varieties is a testament to the reputation CruiserMaxx Beans has established in delivering enhanced plant stand, vigor, speed to canopy, and ultimately, improved yield potential."

CruiserMaxx Beans is an insecticide/fungicide seed treatment combination that offers growers protection against a broad-spectrum of early-season insects including soybean aphid, bean leaf beetle, seedcorn maggot and wireworm. In addition, it provides excellent protection against all major seed- and soil-borne disease pathogens, including Pythium, early-season Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, seed-borne Sclerotinia, seed-borne Phomopsis and general seed rots.

For more information on CruiserMaxx Beans, visit www.syngentaseedcare.com , contact your local Syngenta Crop Protection or Seed Care representative, or ask your local seed dealer.

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 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion. Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

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This press release 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 theses and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This release does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to see or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchases 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.

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using any of these products.

Contacts:
Jodie McClement
Syngenta Seed Care

336-632-2489

Lisa Venters
Gibbs & Soell Public Relations

919-870-5718

Jerry Harrington
Pioneer Hi-Bred

800-247-6803, ext. 6908

CruiserMaxx Beans is one or more separately registered products or combination of products containing the following: CruiserMaxx; CruiserMaxx and Apron XL®; Cruiser®, Maxim® and Apron XL; or Cruiser and an ApronMaxx® brand fungicide.

ApronMaxx®, Cruiser®, CruiserMaxx™, Apron XL®, Maxim®, Syngenta Seed Care™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.