FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the month of February 2013

Commission File Number: 001-15152


SYNGENTA AG
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Schwarzwaldallee 215
4058 Basel
Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)


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

Form 20-F
X
 
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):

Yes
   
No
X

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):

Yes
   
No
X

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:

Yes
   
No
X

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


 
 
 
 

 
Re:                   SYNGENTA AG
Disclosure:
1 - “EFSA review of risk to bees from neonicotinoid technology is fundamentally flawed”
 
2 - “Filing of 2012 Annual Report on Form 20-F


Herewith we furnish press releases related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press releases are the following:

# # #

 
 

 
 
Item 1
 
Syngenta International AG
 
Media Office
CH-4002 Basel
Switzerland
Tel:    +41 61 323 2323
Fax:   +41 61 323 2424
 
www.syngenta.com
Media contacts:
 
Paul Barrett
Switzerland     +41 61 323 2323
 
 
Daniel Braxton
Switzerland     +41 61 323 2323
Analyst/Investor contacts:
 
Jennifer Gough
Switzerland     +41 61 323 5059
USA                       +1 202 737 6521
 
Lars Oestergaard
Switzerland     +41 61 323 6793
USA                       +1 202 737 6520
 

 

Basel, Switzerland, February 15, 2013

EFSA review of risk to bees from neonicotinoid technology is fundamentally flawed

Syngenta today requested that the European Commission retract its proposal to restrict the use of neonicotinoid technology after revealing that the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) report on the risks to bees from their use was fundamentally flawed.

Syngenta submitted a response to the EFSA report in January. This showed that EFSA failed to consider key information proving the safety of thiamethoxam seed treatment for use on crops such as oilseed rape and sunflower.

Further review has now shown that EFSA based its assessment on unrealistic and excessive seed planting rates between two and four times higher than would be used under modern agricultural practice.

Had EFSA used normal sowing rates they would have concluded that the risk to bees is extremely low and that in reality neonicotinoid technology does not damage their health.

Syngenta’s Chief Operating Officer, John Atkin, said: “The European Commission has been using this flawed EFSA report to justify proposed restrictions on this technology. These latest findings undermine the basis for such action, which would bring considerable economic harm to growers and absolutely no benefit to bees. The European Commission must halt the current process and undertake a comprehensive review to identify the true risks to bee health.”

Syngenta has written to all EU Member States and the European Commission to inform them of these findings.

For more information on the bee health challenge go to www.plightofthebees.com

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 27,000 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




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 therefor.
 

Syngenta – February 15, 2013 / Page 1 of 1
 
 

 
 
Item 2
 
Syngenta International AG
 
Media Office
CH-4002 Basel
Switzerland
Tel:    +41 61 323 2323
Fax:   +41 61 323 2424
 
www.syngenta.com
Media contacts:
 
Paul Barrett
Switzerland     +41 61 323 2323
 
 
Daniel Braxton
Switzerland     +41 61 323 2323
Analyst/Investor contacts:
 
Jennifer Gough
Switzerland     +41 61 323 5059
USA                       +1 202 737 6521
 
Lars Oestergaard
Switzerland     +41 61 323 6793
USA                       +1 202 737 6520
 

 
Basel, Switzerland, February 15, 2013

Filing of 2012 Annual Report on Form 20-F

Syngenta announced that the 2012 Annual Report on Form 20-F has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The document is available on the Syngenta website at www.syngenta.com in the Investor Relations section; hard copies of the audited financial statements are available to shareholders free of charge upon request.
 



Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 27,000 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.





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 therefor.

Syngenta – February 15, 2013 / Page 1 of 1
 
 

 
 
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:
February 15, 2013
 
By:
/s/ Tobias Meili
 
       
Name:
Dr. Tobias Meili
 
       
Title:
Head Corporate Legal Affairs
 
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
     
By:
/s/ Brigitte Benz
 
       
Name:
Brigitte Benz
 
       
Title:
Head Shareholder Services &
Group Administration