Syngenta to Pull Paraquat Herbicide from Australian Market

Syngenta announced it will cease sales of the herbicide paraquat in Australia after the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) introduced new restrictions in June that render the product “commercially unviable.” The decision follows a broader international trend; paraquat is banned in more than 70 countries and has been associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in scientific studies.

The company said the tightened regulatory framework, which imposes stricter handling, labeling and usage limits, makes continued distribution in the Australian market impractical. Syngenta will withdraw the product from Australian supply chains, aligning its operations with the updated APVMA guidelines while monitoring potential impacts on agricultural practices that previously relied on the chemical.