Syngenta to Cease Paraquat Sales in Australia Amid New Regulations

Syngenta, the producer of a herbicide banned in more than 70 countries and linked to Parkinson’s disease, will stop selling paraquat in Australia due to new regulations making it commercially unviable. The decision follows June’s restrictions by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to mitigate acute exposure and animal risks, despite the authority finding no increased Parkinson’s disease risk from approved uses.

Paraquat has been produced by Syngenta for decades but is banned in the EU since 2007. In Australia, it cannot be used domestically but is widely used in agriculture. The APVMA’s new rules phase out backpack sprayers, mandate more protective equipment, and lower application rates.

Syngenta ANZ’s Managing Director, David Van Ryswyk, stated the decision aligns with APVMA timelines, citing regulatory and supply chain complexities. Generic paraquat products will still be available.

A Melbourne neurologist, Associate Prof Wes Thevathasan, noted a global consensus linking paraquat to a threefold increased risk of Parkinson’s. Grain Producers Australia expressed uncertainty, fearing reduced choices for farmers amid herbicide resistance concerns.