Brussels, Belgium, December 2, 2010

Syngenta’s 10th anniversary marked with new European Biodiversity Award
 Winning entries from Belgium, Germany and France
Submissions demonstrate the transformation of a vision of biodiversity into reality
Highlights importance of biodiversity for agriculture and society
Syngenta’s Representative Office to the European Union yesterday evening marked the company’s 10th anniversary with the presentation in Brussels of a new award in recognition of the exceptional efforts made by many farmers across Europe to reverse the decline in biodiversity.

The high quality of projects submitted meant that the independent jury selected three winners who will share EUR 15,000 between them for the further development of their initiatives.
The winners are ECO2, which supports Belgian farmers in landscape and nature management; Flowering Steinberg which helps German farmers to sustain their species rich meadows and pastures; and Bee Partners, whose objective is to provide enough honey-bees to support seed production in winter colza oilseed rape and to promote better relations between French farmers and bee-keepers.

Biodiversity is essential for both agricultural productivity and the well-being of society more broadly. Yet the biodiversity of species and eco-systems is under threat and without the positive action taken by people like the recipients of this award, the world stands to lose a great variety of the environmental goods and services that we take for granted.
In presenting the awards, Syngenta’s EAME Region Head, Jon Parr, said: “This award recognises the impressive efforts which are being taken by farmers and growers, along with other stakeholders in rural communities, across Europe to transform the vision of biodiversity into a reality on the farm.“ He added: “Our company is committed to this endeavour through our own Operation Pollinator which has engaged over 1500 growers across 13 EU countries in putting back vital habitat and nutrition on farms for pollinating insects. But it is right that we champion the efforts of others and our 10th anniversary provides the opportunity to mark their success as well as our own.”

The Head of Syngenta’s Representative Office in Brussels, Mark Titterington, said: “Farmers and growers are our only custodians of the land and every day they make impressive efforts to manage the landscape and nature as well as providing us with the food we need. This award is our way of celebrating their success. But we really need the EU and Member State governments to find simple ways, through the reform of CAP, to reward them for the environmental goods and services which they provide but which the market rarely pays them for”.

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 25,000 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.