Paraquat in Australia is about to face restrictions, and Roundup safety is supported

There have been significant developments in the field of pesticide regulation in Australia, involving a number of widely used herbicide products.

01

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has issued a proposed regulatory decision on the re-evaluation of Paraquat and Diaquat. According to the current known information, after re-evaluation, 90% of the application scenarios of Paraquat and Diaquat in Australia are not supported, including the dieback of 23 mainstream crops, the spray scenario of most broadleaf grasses such as row crops, vegetable fields and home gardening, and the field of aquatic drugs. The public consultation on the proposed decision will be open until 29 October 2024.

APVMA recommends: 

1. Change and confirm the registration of Paraquat and Diaquat chemical products and their associated label approval, provided that at least one use scenario is still supported (meaning that both varieties may be banned if no use scenario is supported). 

2. Change and confirm the active ingredient registration of Paraquat and Diaquat.

3. Cancel the registration and related labels of two anti-grass products that do not meet the statutory safety, trade or labelling standards. 

The proposed determination system takes into account all active ingredients, product registration and approved labelling of Paraquat and Diparaquat in Australia. 

The proposed determination system takes into account all active ingredients, product registration and approved labelling of Paraquat and Diparaquat in Australia.

02

The Federal Court of Australia has ruled in favor of Monsanto (now Bayer) in a lawsuit involving Roundup herbicide and dismissed the plaintiff's claim. The ruling casts a positive light on similar lawsuits facing Bayer around the world.

The ruling is consistent with the findings of multiple regulatory agencies and scientific assessments around the world. Authorities such as the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) have concluded that Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is safe and not carcinogenic. In 2023, the European Commission re-approved the use of glyphosate for 10 years after a scientific assessment by its health and safety agency. The assessment by the relevant EU agencies found "no serious problems affecting public health or the environment". 

Bayer welcomed the ruling. A company spokesman stressed that Bayer remains committed to supporting Australian farmers and ensuring the continued use of safe and effective products such as Roundup.