Following its review, the APVMA has determined that paraquat products will remain registered for use in Australia, subject to new restrictions and additional safety controls.
Fight Parkinson’s response
Fight Parkinson’s is disappointed by the AVPMA’s decision to allow paraquat to remain in use.
We acknowledge the additional restrictions introduced by the APVMA and recognise that these measures are intended to reduce exposure. However, we remain concerned about the substantial body of evidence demonstrating an association between paraquat exposure and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
A ban on paraquat would have represented Australia’s first significant preventive measure to reduce exposure to a potential environmental risk factor associated with Parkinson’s disease, particularly for agricultural workers and rural communities who may face higher levels of exposure.
We believe that preventing exposure to potential environmental risk factors should remain an important public health priority, particularly as Parkinson’s continues to be the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world.
What did the APVMA decide?
The APVMA concluded that paraquat can continue to be used in Australia under revised conditions designed to reduce exposure risks for users.
While paraquat will not be banned, the regulator has introduced a range of new restrictions, including:
- An 80% reduction in the maximum application rate per hectare
- A ban on backpack sprayers
- Requirements for enclosed mixing and loading systems
- Stronger personal protective equipment requirements for users
- A two-year transition period for existing product stock
These changes are intended to reduce exposure to paraquat during agricultural use.
Why is this decision important to the Parkinson’s community?
For many years, researchers around the world have investigated whether exposure to paraquat may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
A substantial body of research has identified an association between paraquat exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson’s.
In 2024, Fight Parkinson’s supported a ban on paraquat in Australia based on the available scientific evidence and concerns about the potential role of environmental risk factors in Parkinson’s disease.
The APVMA’s decision to approve of continued use of Paraquat should not be interpreted as evidence that there is no association between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease, nor that concerns raised by researchers around the world have been resolved.
Rather, the regulator determined that the available evidence did not meet the threshold required under Australia’s regulatory framework to cancel paraquat registrations.
Importantly, while there was evidence of association and increased risk, there was not definitive proof that paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease in an individual.
What happens next?
Fight Parkinson’s is carefully reviewing the detailed scientific assessments and expert reports relied upon by the APVMA in reaching its decision.
We will continue to engage with researchers, clinicians, policymakers and the Parkinson’s community to better understand the implications of this outcome and continue to advocate for the community.
Our commitment
Today’s decision is not the outcome Fight Parkinson’s and many in our community hoped for. However, it does not change our commitment to advocating for the health and wellbeing of people living with Parkinson’s and future generations.
Fight Parkinson’s will continue to monitor emerging evidence, support research, and advocate for policies that prioritise prevention, community health and better outcomes for all Australians affected by Parkinson’s.
We thank the people in our community who have shared their experiences, contributed submissions and helped raise awareness of this important issue. Your voices continue to play a vital role in advancing understanding of Parkinson’s and the factors that may contribute to it.
