Leading Australian movement disorder specialists said they were not consulted by the national chemical regulator during its review of paraquat.
The exclusion of top neurologists from the process raises concerns about the safety of the weed killer, as scientific evidence increasingly links paraquat exposure to the development of Parkinson's disease [1, 2].
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is currently conducting a review of the herbicide [1, 2]. Specialists in movement disorders, the medical field that manages Parkinson's, said the regulator failed to engage with them despite their expertise in the neurological impacts of chemical toxins [1, 2].
This lack of engagement comes as a deadline for the regulator's decision on the chemical looms [2]. The specialists said the review process should have integrated the latest clinical findings regarding how the herbicide affects the brain [1, 2].
Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide used globally for weed control. While it is effective for agriculture, its association with neurodegenerative diseases has led to bans or restrictions in several other jurisdictions [1, 2].
Neurologists in Australia said the regulator's failure to seek their input undermines the thoroughness of the safety assessment [1, 2]. They said the risk of Parkinson's disease is a critical factor that must be weighed against the agricultural utility of the product [1, 2].
“Leading Australian movement disorder specialists said they were not consulted by the national chemical regulator.”
The tension between the APVMA and the medical community highlights a gap between agricultural regulatory standards and clinical neurology. If the regulator ignores specialized medical input, the final decision on paraquat may face legal challenges or public backlash, especially as global evidence of the chemical's link to Parkinson's disease grows.
