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 October 2005

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
  Press Release: “Syngenta obtains first regulatory approval for AxialTM”

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

# # #





Item 1

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

Syngenta obtains first regulatory approval for Axial™

Basel, Switzerland, 17 October 2005

Syngenta announced today that its new cereal herbicide, Axial, has received its first registration in the UK, one of the most important markets for cereals in Europe. Further registrations in other major cereal markets are anticipated in time for the 2006 season. Axial is expected to achieve peak global sales of at least $150 million.

Axial provides outstanding control of a broad spectrum of grass weeds, unprecedented crop safety in both wheat and barley, and flexible application timing in both autumn and spring.

John Atkin, Chief Operating Officer, Syngenta Crop Protection, said: “This registration further strengthens our broad product range for cereal farmers. Axial will set new standards in grass weed control and is one of the eight important products in our crop protection pipeline expected to be launched by 2012”.

The global cereal herbicide market is estimated at close to $2.5 billion.

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 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 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:   Guy Wolff Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323
USA:   Sarah Hull Tel: +1 (202) 628 2372
UK:   Andrew Coker Tel: +44 (1483) 26 0014
         
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
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 therefore.

Syngenta – 17 October 2005 / 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: October 17, 2005 By: /s/ Daniel Michaelis
Name: Daniel Michaelis
Title: Senior Corporate Counsel
         
    By: /s/ Christoph Mäder
Name: Christoph Mäder
Title: General Counsel