SYT » Topics » Environmental Matters

This excerpt taken from the SYT 20-F filed Mar 1, 2006.

Environmental Matters

Syngenta has environmental liabilities at some currently or formerly owned, leased and third party sites throughout the world.

In the USA, Syngenta, or its indemnities, has been named under federal legislation (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended) as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) in respect of several sites. Syngenta expects to be indemnified against a proportion of the liabilities associated with a number of these sites by the seller of the businesses associated with such sites and, where appropriate, actively participates in or monitors the clean-up activities at the sites in respect of which it is a PRP.

Syngenta has provisions in respect of environmental remediation costs in accordance with the accounting policy described in Note 2 and as shown in Note 21, Provisions. The environmental provision is principally related to potential liabilities at various locations. The estimated provision takes into consideration the number of other PRPs at each site and the identity and financial positions of such parties in light of the joint and several nature of the liability.

The requirement in the future for Syngenta ultimately to take action to correct the effects on the environment of prior disposal or release of chemical substances by Syngenta or other parties, and its costs, pursuant to environment laws and regulations, is inherently difficult to estimate. The material components of the environmental provisions consist of a risk assessment based on investigation of the various sites. Syngenta’s future remediation expenses are affected by a number of uncertainties which include, but are not limited to, the method and extent of remediation, the percentage of material attributable to Syngenta at the remediation sites relative to that attributable to other parties, and the financial capabilities of the other potentially responsible parties. It is often not possible to estimate the amounts expected to be recovered via reimbursement, indemnification or insurance due to the uncertainty inherent in this area.

Syngenta believes that its provisions are adequate based upon currently available information. However, given the inherent difficulties in estimating liabilities in this area, it cannot be guaranteed that additional costs will not be incurred beyond the amounts accrued. The effect of resolution of environmental matters on results of operations cannot be predicted due to uncertainty concerning both the amount and the timing of future expenditures and the results of future operations. Management believes that such additional amounts, if any, would not be material to Syngenta’s financial condition but could be material to Syngenta’s results of operations in a given period.

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30. Principal currency translation rates        









    2005   2004   2003
    US$   US$   US$









Year end rates used for the consolidated balance sheets,        
to translate the following currencies into US$, are:        
  Swiss franc   1.32   1.13   1.24
  British pound sterling   0.58   0.52   0.56
  Japanese yen   117.41   102.60   106.94
  Euro   0.85   0.73   0.79
  Brazilian real   2.32   2.66   2.90









Average rates of the year used for the consolidated income        
and cash flow statements, to translate the following        
currencies into US$, are:        
  Swiss franc   1.24   1.25   1.35
  British pound sterling   0.55   0.55   0.61
  Japanese yen   109.47   108.06   116.54
  Euro   0.80   0.81   0.89
  Brazilian real   2.44   2.94   3.12









This excerpt taken from the SYT 20-F filed Mar 16, 2005.

Environmental Matters

Syngenta has environmental liabilities at some currently or formerly owned, leased and third party sites throughout the world.

In the USA, Syngenta, or its indemnities, has been named under federal legislation (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended) as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) in respect of several

F-55






sites. Syngenta expects to be indemnified against a proportion of the liabilities associated with a number of these sites by the seller of the businesses associated with such sites and, where appropriate, actively participates in or monitors the clean-up activities at the sites in respect of which it is a PRP.

Syngenta has provisions in respect of environmental remediation costs in accordance with the accounting policy described in Note 2 and as shown in Note 21, Provisions. The environmental provision is principally related to potential liabilities at various locations. The estimated provision takes into consideration the number of other PRPs at each site and the identity and financial positions of such parties in light of the joint and several nature of the liability.

The requirement in the future for Syngenta ultimately to take action to correct the effects on the environment of prior disposal or release of chemical substances by Syngenta or other parties, and its costs, pursuant to environment laws and regulations, is inherently difficult to estimate. The material components of the environmental provisions consist of a risk assessment based on investigation of the various sites. Syngenta’s future remediation expenses are affected by a number of uncertainties which include, but are not limited to, the method and extent of remediation, the percentage of material attributable to Syngenta at the remediation sites relative to that attributable to other parties, and the financial capabilities of the other potentially responsible parties. It is not possible to estimate the amounts expected to be recovered via reimbursement, indemnification or insurance due to the uncertainty inherent in this area.

Syngenta believes that its provisions are adequate based upon currently available information. However, given the inherent difficulties in estimating liabilities in this area, it cannot be guaranteed that additional costs will not be incurred beyond the amounts accrued. The effect of resolution of environmental matters on results of operations cannot be predicted due to uncertainty concerning both the amount and the timing of future expenditures and the results of future operations. Management believes that such additional amounts, if any, would not be material to Syngenta’s financial condition but could be material to Syngenta’s results of operations in a given period.

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EXCERPTS ON THIS PAGE:

20-F
Mar 1, 2006
20-F
Mar 16, 2005
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