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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 August 2004

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):

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):

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:

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

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Re:	SYNGENTA AG
	Press Release: EU approves acquisition of Advanta by Syngenta

Filed herewith is a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release follows:

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Item 1

		Syngenta International AG Media Office CH-4002 Basel Switzerland
		Telephone: Fax:	+41 61 323 23 23 +41 61 323 24 24
		www.syngenta.com

Media Release

EU approves acquisition of Advanta by Syngenta

Basel, Switzerland, 17 August 2004

Syngenta announced today that the European Commission has approved the acquisition of Advanta BV, one of the world's leading seed companies.

As announced on 12 May, Syngenta acquires Advanta's North American corn and soybean business, which trades under the highly regarded Garst brand. The investment company Fox Paine acquires all Advanta operations outside North America and the non-corn and non-soybean operations within North America. A decision by the European Commission about the acquisition by Fox Paine is expected later this month.

The date of final closing of the acquisition of Advanta by Syngenta is subject to the US approval by the Department of Justice. This is expected soon.

Together with the recently approved acquisition of the Golden Harvest group of companies, this transaction will increase Syngenta's US market share in corn to 15 per cent and in soybean to 13 per cent¹.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2003 were approximately $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

Media Enquiries:		Switzerland:		Markus Payer		Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323
		USA:		Sarah Hull		Tel: +1 (202) 347 8348
Analysts/Investors:		Switzerland:		Jonathan Seabrook		Tel: +41 (61) 323 7502
				Jennifer Gough		Tel: +41 (61) 323 5059
		USA:		Rhonda Chiger		Tel: +1 (917) 322 2569

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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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.

1 Source: Pro forma 2003: Doane estimates

Syngenta - 17 August 2004 / Page 1 of 1

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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:	August 17, 2004	By:	/s/ Christoph Mäder
			Name:	Christoph Mäder
			Title:	Authorized Signatory
		By:	/s/ Damian Heller
			Name:	Damian Heller
			Title:	Authorized Signatory