Regulatory announcements have been made by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regarding agricultural chemicals used in the sugarcane industry.

Update from July 2026:

MCPA (dimethylamine salt) 

The Emergency Use Permit, PER95459, held by Queensland Cane Growers Organisation Ltd (QCGO) issued by the APVMA for the control of vine weeds in sugarcane has been renewed for the period 19 December 2024 to 31 January 2027.

The permit included all registered Agvet products containing 750 g/L MCPA present as the dimethylamine salt as the only active constituent.

This product is used to control vine weeds in Queensland and New South Wales, including Bellvine, Pin convolvulus, Red convolvulous, Morning glory, Star-of-Bethlehem and Stinking passionflower at a rate of 930 mL/ha. The permit allowed application as an over crop spray via a ground based boom spray or aerially using fixed wing or rotary equipment.

 

Paraquat (Update from June 2026):

The APVMA 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.

Update below from January 2026:

Imidacloprid

The Emergency Use Permit, PER95474, held by QCGO, for applications of imidacloprid of 350 g/L imidacloprid products to late harvested cane crops for control of canegrubs in ratoon cane from 9 January to 28 February, 2025 has expired, and product must now be applied according to label.

Regarding the neonicotinoids chemical review the risk assessment is still in progress and publication of the proposed regulatory decisions for individual neonicotinoid actives are now expected between December 2025 and October 2026.

2,4-D
Permit 95827 has been renewed until January 2028. This permit allows for 2,4-D products to be applied by helicopter, equipped with Accu-Flo nozzles, with a reduced downwind buffer zones for natural aquatic and vegetation areas of 40 metres. Permit 95827 Renewed

Gramoxone

Syngenta Australia has initiated a voluntary recall of its product, GRAMOXONE 360 PRO Herbicide (APVMA No. 68577), following the discovery that 20L drums supplied for batches 389865 and 389866 were not made to required specifications and may not be sufficiently durable during handling and use resulting in ruptures which may pose a hazard to handlers.

Growers who have this product from these batches should quarantine them in a locked, bunded pesticide storage area and contact Syngenta Customer Service (T: 1800 022 035) for instructions on collection and refunds.