24 June 2026

The APVMA yesterday released its final regulatory decision following the Paraquat Chemical Review.

The regulator has ruled some uses of paraquat are unacceptable from the viewpoint of environmental safety. The maximum supported rate varies from crop to crop. For sugarcane, the regulator concluded that paraquat rates above 103 g a.i. /ha (directed interrow spray) and 137 g a.i. /ha (boomspray) pose an unacceptable risk to birds.

The minimum label rate of paraquat for use in sugarcane is 300 g a.i. per hectare (equivalent to 1.2 L/ha of Paraquat at 250 g/L). Consequently, the use of paraquat in sugarcane is now NOT supported by the regulator. This decision also includes combination products containing diquat and paraquat.

As of 22 June 2026, newly manufactured paraquat drums will bear revised labels that no longer mention the use of paraquat in sugarcane. These products cannot be used in sugarcane fields at any rates.
However, the supply and use of registered paraquat products bearing labels approved prior to this final decision are authorised for a period of two years. These products (and only these products) can still be used according to their respective labels until 22 June 2028.

As part of SRA project 2025002 Paraquat alternatives – Re-develop Integrated Weed Management in Australian Sugarcane without Paraquat, SRA is actively working with chemical companies to help identify new herbicidal knockdown strategies in sugarcane. Some new options are on track for registration as early as mid 2027. In the meantime, SRA is exploring weed management options for this season, that will be communicated to the industry as soon as possible.