Leading Australian neurologists have urged regulators to ban the herbicide paraquat, citing evidence of a link to Parkinson's disease, as grain growers contend a ban could disrupt sustainable farming.
Andy Burns and Nathan Morris report for ABC News.
In short:
- Neurologists and movement disorder experts in Australia have called on the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) to ban paraquat due to studies linking it with Parkinson's disease.
- Grain producers argue that paraquat is vital for managing weeds, particularly in zero-till farming and that banning it would impact food security.
- The APVMA, which has recommended tighter restrictions, will decide on the ban in February after public submissions close.
Key quote:
"The health risks associated with this herbicide far outweigh any potential benefits, and alternatives are available that do not pose such severe threats to human health."
— Carolyn Sue, president of the Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand
Why this matters:
Paraquat, banned in over 67 countries, has been linked to Parkinson’s disease through research and case studies, raising concerns for agricultural workers and communities exposed to it. Australia’s decision on the herbicide could signal a shift in agricultural safety standards and public health protections.
