Syngenta to Cease Paraquat Production, Fight for Full Ban Must Continue
In a significant development for the agricultural and public health communities, Syngenta announced that in June 2026 it will stop producing paraquat, a widely used and highly toxic herbicide that has been linked in multiple scientific studies to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Anne Hubbard, APDA’s Chief Public Policy Officer, welcomes the announcement, calling it “a step in the right direction, particularly given the growing body of evidence tying paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease. But stopping production by one company is not the same as a complete ban. Paraquat remains in use, and farmworkers and rural communities are still at risk.”
Paraquat has long been a staple in U.S. agriculture for weed and crop management. However, mounting research connecting exposure to elevated Parkinson’s risk has intensified scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators, farmworker advocates, and public health organizations.
Not a Ban on Distribution or Use
While Syngenta’s decision marks a notable shift from one of the largest manufacturers of paraquat, it is not an outright ban on the herbicide’s distribution or use in the United States. Existing stocks may still circulate, and there is currently no federal prohibition preventing continued application by licensed users.
Other Manufacturers Remain
In addition, Syngenta is not the sole producer of paraquat. Other manufacturers, though they hold a smaller share of the market, continue to produce and sell paraquat products. These companies are expected to maintain sales to the U.S. agricultural sector unless further regulatory action is taken. As a result, supply of Paraquat to American growers is unlikely to disappear overnight.
Momentum Must Continue
The announcement underscores shifting corporate and public sentiment, but this is not the end of the campaign to ban Paraquat. APDA will continue to support state and federal efforts that seek to ban paraquat use and distribution, which is the only comprehensive action that will meaningfully reduce exposure risks.
For now, Syngenta’s decision represents meaningful movement but not the final chapter in the ongoing debate over one of agriculture’s most controversial chemicals.
To learn more about paraquat and PD, please read our recent blog post on the topic.
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