A Queensland farmer living with Parkinson’s disease is urging Australians to support a ban on paraquat, as a national debate over the herbicide raises questions relevant to farming communities including the Hawkesbury.
Fourth-generation farmer Greg Smith, diagnosed four years ago, has joined Parkinson’s Australia in calling for the chemical to be withdrawn and for people who have used it to be heard by a parliamentary inquiry.
“People who have lived experience of paraquat must be listened to,” Mr Smith said.
“We grew up on a small crop farm and in those days, nobody knew how bad chemicals were on people’s health and the environment.”
Mr Smith believes agricultural chemical exposure contributed to ill health in his family. His account is a personal assessment, rather than an established medical finding about the cause of their illnesses.
“I'm a man of the land, my family is fourth-generation farmers, but I believe that we can find a safer way to farm,” he said.
The campaign follows the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s June decision to retain paraquat with significant restrictions.
The regulator said its assessment found the weight of evidence did not show that exposure through approved uses increased the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It nevertheless imposed stronger controls to address risks to chemical handlers and wildlife.
Those controls include phasing out backpack sprayers, requiring enclosed mixing and loading systems, enhanced protective equipment and substantially lower application rates. New labels apply to products manufactured from June 23, with existing stock subject to a two-year phase-out.
Parkinson’s Australia disputes the regulator’s assessment, arguing that studies identifying an association between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s warrant a national ban.
Chief executive Olivia Nassaris said farmers needed practical assistance to move to alternative methods.
“This is being incorrectly pitched as a battle between Parkinson’s Australia and farmers it’s not,” she said.
“Our recommendations include funding and support for farmers to be able to change their practices to be able to meet targets but safely for everyone.”
The organisation is also seeking public hearings in the Senate inquiry examining the continued use and regulation of paraquat.
According to Parkinson’s Australia, Senator David Pocock has given notice of a motion seeking at least one public hearing, with the regulator required to attend and opportunities for exposed farmers, agricultural workers and people living with Parkinson’s to participate.
The organisation has also alleged in its submission that the regulator applied the wrong legal test when assessing the chemical. That remains an allegation, rather than a court finding.
