ST. LOUIS - Saturday, May 9th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to Syngenta’s [VTX: SYNN] announcement this morning, Monsanto Company [NYSE:MON] today confirmed that it had made a private proposal to Syngenta’s Board of Directors to acquire Syngenta for 449.00 CHF per share. The proposal contemplates consideration of approximately 45% cash and would provide Syngenta shareholders with a very attractive premium and significant further value creation through ongoing ownership in the combined company.

Monsanto has long respected and followed Syngenta’s business and believes combining the two companies would deliver significant value to all stakeholders, including shareholders. Creating a new company from the combination of Syngenta’s strengths and leadership in crop protection chemicals and Monsanto’s leadership in seeds, traits and information technology would form an integrated global leader in agriculture with comprehensive and complementary product portfolios, and an Ag-focused organization with enhanced abilities to develop and accelerate innovative solutions for growers. Monsanto believes the combined company would be uniquely positioned to deliver a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions to farmers around the world and to accelerate technological innovation through precision agriculture and advanced research and development capabilities aimed at increasing the world’s food supply in a sustainable fashion.

Monsanto believes a combination would deliver significant value to shareholders of both companies. The combination is expected to result in substantial synergies as the company delivers more integrated solutions to customers.

Monsanto, in conjunction with its financial and legal advisors, has devoted significant time and resources to analyzing a potential combination of Syngenta and Monsanto and is confident in its ability to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals.

Monsanto does not intend to make any additional comments on this matter at this time.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops – such as corn, soybeans, and cotton – that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. To learn more about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated employees, please visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows® at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this release are “forward-looking statements,” such as statements concerning the anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans of the company and the potential combined business of the company and Syngenta, including the expected benefits of a potential combination as well as whether a potential combination will be entered into or completed, and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company’s actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company’s exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company’s research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits and the previously-announced SEC investigation; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting the company’s manufacturing; the accuracy of the company’s estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the recent increases in and expected higher levels of indebtedness; the company’s ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company’s facilities; the possibility that a potential transaction involving Syngenta will not be entered into or will be pursued on different terms and conditions, failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to satisfy any of the other conditions to a possible transaction, failure to realize the expected benefits thereof, or the impact of changes in business, financial, market, legal or other conditions; and other risks and factors detailed in the company’s most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

Contacts

Monsanto Company

Media:

Sara Miller, 314-694-5824

or

Analysts:

Laura Meyer, 314-694-8148

or

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

Steve Frankel or Scott Bisang, 212-355-4449

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