The APVMA has chosen to allow farmers to apply Paraquat and Diquat herbicide but with added precautions
The continued use of herbicides paraquat and diquat come with very clear user beware warnings by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and firm convictions from Parkinson’s disease neurologists that paraquat should be banned.
And while Paraquat and related herbicide Diquat are fast-acting weedkillers popular among local farm operations for controlling resistant weeds, the chemicals have been banned in the EU, the UK and China due to their toxicity.
Parkinson’s disease specialists, scientific bodies, groups of neurologists, and organisations stated their objections to the chemical approval to be met with the APVMA decision “the available epidemiology data is insufficient to conclude any association between paraquat exposure and neurotoxicity (including Parkinson’s disease) in the occupational environment.”
The medical and scientific bodies that have been very vocal since 2024 may take away some comfort from the decision announced today by the APVMA that there are additional restrictions concerning the herbicide paraquat but determined it could still continue to be used with lower application rates.
This is a clear situation where growers need to make a decision for themselves as to whether using the chemicals and even having them on-farm where others have access to them is a risk worth taking.
As long as all precaution as set out by the APVMA are following, they say the Group L herbicides Paraquat and Diquat are safe to use.
But what cannot be overlooked is the groundswell of resistance to the use of these chemicals by Parkinson’s disease experts, many who say that farmers are already high up in the statistics of patients they are currently treating.
Check out the ABC investigation at Dean near Ballarat VIC to see a bare bones look at how Parkinson’s disease has ravaged a farming community on this link.
APVMA statement on herbicides paraquat and diquat
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published its final decisions on the extensive chemical reviews (the reviews) of non-selective herbicides paraquat and diquat.
APVMA CEO Scott Hansen said the reviews applied contemporary risk management frameworks to rigorous scientific investigation of the impacts of paraquat and diquat on human health and the environment.
“Both chemicals remain available for use with significant new restrictions on application rates and permitted uses,” Scott Hansen forewarned.
“To protect users from acute exposure, new restrictions will phase out backpack sprayers and require enclosed mixing and loading systems for all uses and enhanced personal protection equipment.
“Overall, the maximum rate of application on paraquat and diquat will be 231grams per hectare, when it was previously 1150 grams per hectare.”
A higher application rate applies to technology assisted spot spraying where application is capped at 30% of total area.
Detailed information on new registration conditions for paraquat and diquat are available in the APVMA Special Gazette, 23 June 2026.
These restrictions are driven by acute toxicity risks for people handling the Schedule 7 poisons and a detailed assessment of data showing acute and chronic exposure risks to birds and mammals foraging in treated areas.
During the review process the APVMA received 171 submissions from scientists, doctors, the agricultural industry and other interested parties. Submissions on paraquat and diquat included a range of concerns including human health impact, farming viability and environmental impact.
The APVMA considered submissions which provided detailed scientific information or argument in line with contemporary international data requirements and test guidelines.
In making its decision, the APVMA found the weight of evidence does not show that paraquat exposure through approved uses increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
New registration conditions will apply to the labels of all paraquat and diquat products manufactured from today. Existing stock will be phased out over a two-year period, allowing the industry to identify and adopt alternative weed management strategies, and prepare for the implementation of new occupational health and safety measures.
Further information on the APVMA decision can be found on these links:
