Sugarcane growers are concerned about the paraquat ban.

According to the APVMA statement, the use of the herbicide paraquat in sugarcane crops poses a threat to the health of poultry feeding in treated areas. The regulator emphasized that current application models for the product in this industry carry risks of acute and chronic exposure to birds, which is why these application methods have been removed from approved labels. At the same time, the agency noted that their assessment was not based solely on the site of crop growth, and therefore different plant species may receive different regulatory decisions.

Previously, paraquat was widely used during the initial stages of sugarcane cultivation as it effectively eliminates weeds and does not persist in the soil, helping young shoots to establish. According to farmers, the use of this herbicide allowed for the application of minimum tillage methods, which reduced erosion and runoff of harmful substances toward the Great Barrier Reef. Farmers express concern that the forced transition to other plant protection products will require more intensive soil tillage, the use of residual herbicides that are more toxic to fish, and will lead to an increase in sediment losses.

Sugar Research Australia is currently searching for alternatives to paraquat, though clear timelines for their implementation have not yet been defined. The regulator, in turn, points out that finding replacements and assessing the economic consequences of changes in the farming system are the responsibility of the producers themselves, their consultants, and state government authorities.

Farmers note the inconsistency of the new rules, as the use of paraquat is still permitted for the treatment of fallow land, headlands, and firebreaks on the same farms. Industry representatives point out that farmers strive to use chemicals rationally and conservatively to avoid unnecessary costs. As for concerns regarding human health, during the review of the product, the APVMA concluded that there is insufficient evidence of a link between paraquat exposure, when used in accordance with regulations, and the development of Parkinson's disease.