Brazilian landless peasants have occupied two production facilities of agrochemical giant Syngenta, demanding the Swiss company leave Brazil.

Hundreds of activists broke into a Syngenta plant in the state of Sao Paulo on Monday, expelling 50 employees and shutting down production, according to a company spokeswoman.

Members of the Landless Rural Workers' Movement (MST) and the allied group Via Campesina also destroyed genetically modified corn and soy seedlings at a Syngenta farm in the northeastern state of Ceara, the groups said.

The groups are demanding Syngenta leave Brazil, accusing the company of attacking landless workers and violating environmental laws.

One landless activist was shot dead in October during protests at a Syngenta farm in the southern Parana state. The MST said the farm illegally produced genetically modified crops within an environmental protection zone around the internationally acclaimed Iguacu waterfalls.

Syngenta, the world's largest agrochemical company, said it was dismayed by the occupations and that it had no participation in the October death.

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