Switzerland

Syngenta Reinforces Its Focus on Biologicals

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:59:49 GMT

Since 2020, Syngenta has put a focus on expanding and improving biologicals. Building on the recent launch of its new biologicals production facility in South Carolina, the company is continuing to grow its biologicals division with the recent acquisition of certain Novartis technologies.

Among the materials acquired are:

Novartis’ repository of natural compounds and genetic strains for agricultural use (Novartis will retail for rights of the pharmaceutical use)
The Novartis natural products and biomolecular chemistry team
A lease on the Novartis fermentation pilot plant and science laboratories in Basel, Switzerland

“With the broadest and most comprehensive portfolio across all segments of biological products, we have established ourselves as a leader in the industry. In a constantly growing market, it is important to ensure a pipeline capable of supporting continuous evolutions. I am convinced that this acquisition will allow us to maintain our capacity to innovate,” says Jonathan Brown, global head of Syngenta’s seedcare and biologicals business.

This move comes after a research collaboration Syngenta and Novartis had in 2019. The acquisition is expected to close June 1.

Other companies Syngenta is currently collaborating on biologicals with include:

Provivi for new pheromone solutions, targeting devastating pests in key crops across Asia
Ginkgo Bioworks to accelerate the launch of innovative biologicals
Intrinsyx Bio in the fast growth area of nutrient use efficiency
Lavie Bio to discover and develop novel bio-insecticide
Lithos Crop Protect for sprayable pheromone targeting the Western Corn Rootworm pest
TraitSeq to leverage AI to accelerate the development of innovative biologicals.

“We invest significantly to offer the industry’s most advanced pipeline of innovative agricultural solutions. The integration of these world-class assets opens a new chapter on our ability to develop cutting-edge biological solutions for farmers and reflects our commitment to drive solutions that continue to elevate the sustainability of agriculture,” says Camilla Corsi, Syngenta’s global head of crop protection research and development.

Swiss Voters to Decide on ‘Factory Farming’ Ban

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:40:17 GMT

Even though Switzerland has some of the strictest animal welfare laws in the world, voters on Sunday could tighten them even further. Under the Swiss system of direct democracy, the referendum seeks to make protecting the dignity of farm animals such as cattle, chickens and pigs a constitutional requirement. New laws would also lower animal stocking rates to meet organic standards.

If adopted, the new law would have the government set stricter rules for caring for animals, including giving them access to the outdoors and for slaughtering them. The requirements would also cover imported animals and animal products. Proponents say the ban would protect the environment by reducing reliance on soya-based animal feed linked to deforestation.

The Swiss government recommended against the proposal, saying such changes would breach trade accords, increase investment and operating costs, and boost food prices.

The latest polling shows 52% of voters oppose a ban, and 47% support one.

“Switzerland already has the tightest animal protection laws that exist, but I always say this may be true, but we can do even better and we should do better,” Alexandra Gavilano, a sustainable food expert for Greenpeace Switzerland told Reuters.

That carried little weight for Daniel Wuergler, co-owner of the Gallipool Frasses poultry farm, who told Reuter he would be forced to reduce his flock under the proposals.

“Whether I have 2,000 laying hens or 18,000, I can be a good farmer or a bad one. So for me, this initiative is totally useless,” he said.

“If the initiative passes, we would be allowed to put 2,000 laying hens in this building. Doing the math, it won’t be possible to make our investments profitable.” Current law allows 27,000 chickens in one barn.

NAFTA Trio to Gather in Switzerland

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 05:19:32 GMT

(Bloomberg) -- The three ministers leading negotiations to revamp NAFTA will get two chances for face-to-face talks this month, including one near the slopes of Davos.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland are due to attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, which begins on Jan. 23, the same day the sixth round of North American Free Trade Agreement talks get underway across the Atlantic in Montreal.

Freeland expects to raise the subject of NAFTA informally on the sidelines of Davos, spokesman Alex Lawrence said in a statement. The three ministers are also tentatively scheduled to hold a trilateral meeting in Montreal on Jan. 28, he said. The ministers didn’t attend the last two negotiating sessions in Mexico and Washington, after attending previous rounds.

The fate of the trade pact remains unclear -- U.S. President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan each said last week they’d rather renegotiate than walk away from the pact altogether, though Trump reiterated his threat to pull out. Canadian officials said they believe the odds are rising that Trump will give notice of a NAFTA withdrawal. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week the U.S. delegation will discuss its “America First” agenda at Davos.

The NAFTA talks are due to run until January 28, two days longer than the Davos summit. Only two Nafta chapters are completed out of a new deal that’s expected to include almost 30; Freeland has said several others are close to completion.

There’s no rush to reach a deal, Trump said last week in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, adding it might be difficult for Mexico to agree terms before its July 1 election. Canada, in turn, called that a “constructive position.”

“Provided there is goodwill from all parties, we could make some real meaningful progress in Montreal, and that is what I’m working towards and hoping for,” Freeland said in a television interview aired Sunday on Global News. Freeland said a withdrawal notice by Trump would only be “a step before withdrawal,” and there is uncertainty about what would shake out if the U.S. does give notice.

“This would be the first time the U.S. has actually withdrawn from a free trade agreement, so there is a lot of uncertainty about what would actually happen,” Freeland said.

NAFTA talks began in August 2017 and have been scheduled through March, with the seventh round expected in late February in Mexico City. Trump had initially wanted a deal by December, though trade negotiations of this scale typically take years.

©2018 Bloomberg L.P.