Syngenta Chief Enters GM Debate at CropLife 

DAVID FIRN & RUTH SULLIVAN / Financial Times 6jun03

Michael Pragnell, the chief executive of Syngenta, the world's largest agro-chemicals company, is to become the new president of CropLife International, the biotechnology lobby group.

His appointment places a man who has sought to avoid the controversy surrounding GM crops at all costs at the heart of a bitter trade dispute. The US is preparing to challenge Europe's refusal to approve GM crops in the World Trade Organisation.

Meanwhile, the UK is engaged in its first serious public debate over the issue.

"As we leverage the potential of our Crop Protection and
Seeds capabilities in pursuit of market share gain, we 
are targeting steadily higher returns and value creation 
for our shareholders."  - Michael Pragnell, CEO, Syngenta

Mindfully.org note:
There should be no doubt in your mind that the goal of genetically 
engineered foods is to feed the shareholders, not the starving
poor of the world. Pragnell's statement to those whom he is 
obliged to cater to is in contrast to the emphasis on the CropLife
website—feeding the world's growing population, environment, 
and society in general. More

Syngenta, which is based in Basel, Switzerland, has kept a low profile on GM, although it is a leader in the technology. Mr Pragnell is known to admire US rival Monsanto for its willingness to take on opponents of GM. He told CropLife's annual conference in Brussels yesterday that the industry had to focus on health issues from the level of consumers as well as global food issues.

"In the developed world, we face an ageing population with soaring health preoccupations and costs, and consumers beset by health and dietary concerns," he said. "In the developing world, nutrition is critical. For the future, the promise of technology will allow our industry to become ever more active and effective." David Firn

source: http://search.ft.com/search/article.html?id=030606000721&query=syngenta&vsc_appId=totalSearch&state=Form 6jun03

Michael Pragnell profile
Chief Executive Officer, Director of Syngenta and member of the Chairman’s Committee. Previously Michael Pragnell was Director of AstraZeneca (1999 - 2000) and Director of Zeneca Group PLC (1997 - 1999). He joined Zeneca Agrochemicals as Chief Executive Officer in 1995. Prior to 1995 he worked for Courtaulds PLC in a number of senior positions (1975 – 1995), including Executive Director of Courtaulds PLC (1990 – 1995), Chief Financial Officer of Courtaulds PLC (1992 - 1994) and Chief Executive Officer of Courtaulds Coatings (1986 – 1992). Michael Pragnell has served as Vice-President of Crop Life International since 2001. He has a degree in modern languages from Oxford University and an MBA from INSEAD.

source: http://www.syngenta.com/en/about_syngenta/board.aspx  6jun03