EPA Pesticide Program Updates: December 5, 2000

Diazinon Insecticide News

Media Release
December 5, 2000
Contact: Syngenta Crop Protection
P.O. Box 18300
Greensboro, NC 27419
Ken Gordon, 336-632-6416
E-mail: ken.gordon@syngenta.com

Syngenta Crop Protection Announces Transition from Its Diazinon Business

Syngenta coordinated its planned withdrawal with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to allow for a smooth transition from the market. By working with the EPA, the company has ensured that the compound meets or exceeds the margins of safety as required by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) during the phase-out period.

Earlier this year, Syngenta submitted a comprehensive response to EPA's Preliminary Risk Assessment of diazinon and has presented additional studies that show wide margins of safety. "The EPA's agreement to a four-year market transition for lawn and garden use confirms the value and safety of this product, and reflects the agency's conclusion that no unreasonable risk to people or the environment exists. We appreciate the EPA's recognition that a gradual removal of the product is necessary to allow adequate transition time for our customers and for consumers," said Eileen Watson of Syngenta business planning and development.

Diazinon has been marketed worldwide for more than 40 years. In the US it is sold mainly to control home lawn and garden insect pests, and many agricultural pests. While other manufacturers will continue to sell diazinon for agricultural uses after 2004, Syngenta will phase the product out completely.

Many actors contributed to the company's decision to end diazinon sales, but the most compelling factors were economic.

"Declining profit margins are the reason for our market withdrawal decision. Although diazinon sales have remained strong, the margins on this product have continued to erode due to a very competitive marketplace," said Watson. "The investment to keep diazinon on the market can no longer be justified."

The four-year strategy was chosen by the company to allow for a smooth shift from diazinon to newer chemistries. As new products are introduced, the transition from diazinon will gradually take place, and U.S. supplies of diazinon for the home and garden market are expected to be depleted by the end of 2004. People who have purchased diazinon merchandise can continue using the products until all quantities are exhausted.

"Diazinon has provided a valuable service to consumers over the past 48 years. It has helped keep homes and lawns free from nuisance and disease-carrying pests such as cockroaches, fleas and ticks," Watson added. "Although it continues to be an effective product, we recognize that diazinon is at the end of its product life cycle."

Syngenta is one of the world's leading agribusinesses. The company began operations in November 2000 following the demergers of the Novartis agribusiness and the AstraZeneca agrochemicals businesses, and their combination to form Syngenta. Pro forma sales in 1999 were approximately US $7 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20 000 people in over 50 countries. Headquarters are in Basel, Switzerland.