In its response to the ruling [by an EU court, banning paraquat, the active ingredient in its product Gramoxone], Syngenta said it was "surprised by the unprecedented decision" to ban the substance, and also by the court's decision to implement the ban immediately even though the European Commission has the right to appeal. The company, which was not directly involved in the court case, said it "remains committed to science-based regulation" and said the 2003 decision "was preceded by a detailed and comprehensive scientific review."