FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Michelle Reardon

Tuesday, October 17, 2000

302/577-8701

Wilmington, DE - The following is a statement by the Delaware Economic Development Office on the decision by Syngenta Corp. to split its operations by locating its US corporate headquarters in Delaware and its Crop Protection Unit in North Carolina:

"We are pleased and honored that Syngenta will retain a presence in Delaware and has chosen to locate its US headquarters in Wilmington. Delaware faced an uphill battle and yet we put our best foot forward and received the best possible result - the Syngenta US corporate headquarters and the retention of quality Delaware jobs. The Syngenta decision speaks highly to Delaware's excellent business environment. Today Syngenta joins a distinguished group of businesses that have chosen Delaware as the location for their US headquarters.

"Our concern remains the welfare of the Zeneca Ag employees. The state will continue to work with Syngenta during the company's merger and transition."