APVMA publishes proposed regulatory decisions for paraquat and diquat reconsiderations

Today, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published its proposed decisions on the reconsiderations of paraquat and diquat, non-selective herbicides used to control weeds in various agricultural, horticultural, and commercial situations.

The APVMA is proposing to:

• vary and affirm paraquat and diquat chemical product registrations and associated label approvals where at least one use pattern is proposed to be supported

• vary and affirm paraquat and diquat active constituent approvals to update the conditions of approval

• cancel 2 diquat chemical product registrations and associated label approvals that do not meet the statutory safety, trade or labelling criteria.

The proposed decision includes consideration of all current approved paraquat and diquat active constituents, registered chemical products, and approved labels.

A summary of risk assessment outcomes for paraquat and diquat uses, and whether they are proposed to be supported or not, is available on the APVMA website. Summaries of the underlying risk assessments have also been published in the Paraquat Review Technical Report and Diquat Review Technical Report.

Public consultation on the proposed decisions is open until 29 October 2024. The APVMA Special Gazette, 30 July 2024, includes more information about the proposed decisions and how to make a submission.