Australia keeps paraquat legal despite Parkinson’s concerns
10 reported
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) announced on Tuesday that the herbicide paraquat will remain legal in Australia, despite being banned in over 70 countries. The decision follows a decades-long review of paraquat and a related chemical, diquat, both widely used in Australian agriculture. The APVMA will allow continued use but with stricter conditions to reduce exposure risk for farm workers, birds and mammals. The regulator’s chief executive, Scott Hansen, stated that the review of hundreds of scientific papers and long-term data had not established a causal link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s groups, scientists and neurologists argue there is a strong correlation between direct exposure and the incidence of the disease. The ruling was not a surprise, as it had been flagged in an earlier draft, and is unlikely to end the controversy regarding the chemicals and Australia’s approach to regulating agricultural chemicals.
What’s reported
Paraquat is banned in over 70 countries, including the European Union and the UK since 2007.
The APVMA announced its final decision on Tuesday after a decades-long review.
The regulator will allow continued use of paraquat and diquat with stricter conditions, including phasing out backpack sprayers and requiring enclosed mixing and loading systems.
The maximum application rate for paraquat and diquat will be reduced from 1,150 grams per hectare to 231 grams per hectare.
A higher application rate will be permitted for technology-assisted spot spraying, limited to 30% of a total area.
The APVMA chief executive Scott Hansen said the review did not establish a causal link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s Australia CEO Olivia Nassaris expressed disappointment, asking, “Are the lives of Australians less valuable?”
Melbourne neurologist Prof Wes Thevathasan stated that multiple epidemiological studies suggest paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease by around threefold.
The National Farmers’ Federation president Hamish McIntyre acknowledged community concern but said Australian agriculture operates under strict, science-based safeguards.
Syngenta Australia said it is assessing the impact on its product portfolio under the restricted conditions.
Key figures
Scott Hansen, APVMA chief executive
Prof Wes Thevathasan, Melbourne neurologist
Olivia Nassaris, Parkinson’s Australia CEO
Hamish McIntyre, National Farmers’ Federation president
David Pocock, ACT independent senator
Syngenta Australia (company)
Sources: The Guardian
