Syngenta has announced it will withdraw its paraquat products from the Australian and New Zealand market, leaving farmers and industry groups warning of a shrinking toolbox for managing weeds and herbicide resistance.
The move follows Syngenta’s announcement in March that it would cease global paraquat production at its only manufacturing site, in Huddersfield in the United Kingdom. It also comes after the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority announced stricter regulations around the use of paraquat, prompting a subsequent commercial review by Syngenta.
Syngenta Australia said paraquat had been a highly valued productivity and conservation tool for many Australian and New Zealand growers, but dedicating significant resources to unprofitable legacy products was no longer sustainable if the company was to maintain its commitment to long-term agricultural innovation. Regulatory constraints, combined with an increasingly complex and expensive supply chain, had made the paraquat herbicide products commercially unviable.
Syngenta ANZ managing director David Van Ryswyk said the company would manage the phase-out of its paraquat products in strict alignment with the APVMA’s designated sell-out and use-by timelines.
“Syngenta remains deeply committed to Australian agriculture and will continue to invest heavily in bringing innovative, alternative crop protection solutions to market to help growers manage resistant weeds and protect their yields,” Mr Van Ryswyk said.
Grain Producers Australia said Syngenta’s withdrawal, as the original paraquat registrant and a long-term foundation of the Australian market, had exposed the vulnerability of local growers to global commercial decisions, even though generic paraquat products remain available.
“Paraquat has been proven safe for continued use under the revised conditions and remains critical to weed control, herbicide resistance management and minimum and no-till farming,” GPA spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said.
“Its withdrawal leaves some important questions about what happens next.”
NSW Farmers vice president Justin Everitt said the decision would leave many farmers worried about their ability to access products for managing weeds and herbicide resistance.
“While this is ultimately a commercial decision for Syngenta, it is disappointing and is another reminder of the growing uncertainty farmers face when it comes to access to essential crop protection products,” Mr Everitt said.
“While there are a lot of generic bands available, Syngenta is a trusted manufacturer and many farmers will be disappointed to see their products leave the market.”
Mr Everitt said the decision also laid bare the growing fragility of farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools.
“Farmers are once again being left with more questions than answers about how they will access the tools they need to effectively manage weeds, protect crop yields and maintain sustainable farming systems.”
“This decision raises broader concerns about the future availability of critical crop protection tools for Australian farmers.”
NSW Farmers is engaging with industry stakeholders to understand the immediate implications of the decision, and will continue advocating to industry, representative bodies and the Grains Research and Development Corporation for ongoing investment in crop protection research.
“Farmers need access to a diverse toolbox of chemistry to effectively manage weeds, resistance and biosecurity risks,” Mr Everitt said.
“Farmers are increasingly worried about whether they will continue to have reliable, affordable and practical access to the products they need in the future.”
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