August, 2004

Diazinon Organophosphate Insecticide Cancellation -

The four year phase-out has finally phased out. EPA announced the issuance of an immediate cancellation order " ... as requested by registrants, of all outdoor non-agricultural end-use products containing diazinon ... Any distribution, sale, or use of the products subject to this cancellation order is only permitted in accordance with the terms of the existing stocks provisions of this cancellation order ..." - Effectively "immediately" - EPA OPPTS OPP Contact: Stephanie Plummer, Special Review and Reregistration Division at 703 305 0076; e-mail: Plummer.Stephanie@EPA.gov - EPA August 11 Federal Register:

Stop sale is December 31, 2004. Use of existing stocks will be permitted.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-18384.htm

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Media Release from December 5, 2000

Syngenta Crop Protection Announces
Transition from Its Diazinon Business

Greensboro, NC -
 Syngenta Crop Protection USA today announced a four-year phase
out from its diazinon insecticide business.  The company made the business
decision to end its diazinon sales after a full analysis of the product's financial performance.

 Syngenta coordinated its planned withdrawal with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), to allow for a smooth transition from the market. By working with the EPA, the company has ensured that the compound meets or exceeds the margins of safety as required by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) during the phase-out period. Earlier this year, Syngenta submitted a comprehensive response to EPA's Preliminary Risk Assessment of diazinon and has presented additional studies that show wide margins of safety. "The EPA's agreement to a four-year market transition for lawn and garden use confirms the value and safety of this product, and reflects the agency's conclusion that no unreasonable risk to people or the environment exists. We appreciate the EPA's recognition that a gradual removal of the product is necessary to allow adequate transition time for our customers and for consumers," said Eileen Watson of Syngenta business planning and development.
 Diazinon has been marketed worldwide for more than 40 years.  In the US it is sold mainly to control home lawn and garden insect pests, and many agricultural pests.  While other manufacturers will continue to sell diazinon for agricultural uses after 2004, Syngenta will phase the product out completely. Many factors contributed to the company's decision to end diazinon sales, but the most compelling factors were economic. "Declining profit margins are the reason for our market withdrawal decision.
 Although diazinon sales have remained strong, the margins on this product have continued to erode due to a very competitive marketplace," said Watson. "The investment to keep diazinon on the market can no longer be justified."
The four-year strategy was chosen by the company to allow for a smooth shift
from diazinon to newer chemistries.   As new products are introduced, the transition from diazinon will gradually take place, and U.S. supplies of diazinon for the home and garden market are expected to be depleted by the end of 2004.  People who have purchased diazinon merchandise can continue using the products until all quantities are exhausted.
 "Diazinon has provided a valuable service to consumers over the past 48
years.  It has helped keep homes and lawns free from nuisance and disease-
carrying pests such as cockroaches, fleas and ticks," Watson added. "Although it
continues to be an effective product, we recognize that diazinon is at the end of its product life cycle."
 Syngenta is one of the world's leading agribusinesses. The company began
operations in November 2000 following the demergers of the Novartis agribusiness
and the AstraZeneca agrochemicals businesses, and their combination to form
Syngenta. Pro forma sales in 1999 were approximately US $7 billion. Syngenta
employs more than 20 000 people in over 50 countries. Headquarters are in Basel,
Switzerland.
Contact Syngenta Crop Protection
Ken Gordon  336-632-6416

Novartis agreed with many conclusions in the preliminary assessment. For instance, outdoor granular diazinon
products were considered by EPA to have an acceptable margin of safety under the new FQPA law. Also the
Agency determined that no dietary or ground-water sourced drinking water concerns exist for the product.

Novartisí decision not to pursue research to support indoor applications will eliminate uses in greenhouses, residential settings, commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, museums, sports facilities, stores and warehouses.

"The foregoing 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 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."
 
 
 

Ken Gordon
Public Relations Manager

Syngenta Crop Protection
P.O. Box 18300
Greensboro, NC  27419
Tel: 336-632-6416
ken.gordon@syngenta.com