Vermont bans Paraquat, becoming the first US state to prohibit the weed-killing herbicide amid growing concerns over its possible link to Parkinson’s disease. Governor Phil Scott signed the legislation on Tuesday, and the law will take effect on November 1, 2026. Paraquat has been used in the United States since 1964 to control broadleaf weeds and grasses. It is widely used on crops such as soybeans, corn, cotton, grapes, peanuts, and pistachios, but its health risks have made it one of the most debated herbicides in the country.

What Vermont’s New Law Includes

• First statewide ban: Vermont is the first US state to pass a ban on paraquat.
• Effective date: The law comes into force on November 1, 2026.
• Limited exemptions: Regulators may issue special permits for fruit tree orchards, berries, and small fruit crops.
• Permit deadline: These exemptions can continue only until December 31, 2030.
• Annual reporting: Any paraquat use in the state must be reported every year.
• Alternative study: Vermont will fund a study to recommend safer weed-control options for farmers.

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Why Paraquat Is Under Scrutiny

Lawmakers cited studies linking paraquat exposure to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, an incurable brain disorder that affects movement, speech, and quality of life. Parkinson’s symptoms develop when dopamine-producing neurons in the brain degenerate.

Some early versions of the bill referred to National Institutes of Health studies that connected paraquat exposure with increased Parkinson’s risk. Lawmakers also noted research linking paraquat to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and childhood leukemia.

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Concerns Raised by Lawmakers and Experts

• Farmer competitiveness: Some lawmakers warned that Vermont farmers may face disadvantages if paraquat remains legal in other states.
• Need for alternatives: The law recognizes that farmers need practical substitutes for weed control.
• Public health risk: Supporters argued that the possible health impact is too serious to ignore.
• National pressure: Multiple US states and federal lawmakers are now facing growing calls to consider similar bans.
• Legal pressure: More than 8,000 lawsuits are pending in US courts over claims linking paraquat to Parkinson’s disease.

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Syngenta and the Wider Debate

Syngenta, a major maker of paraquat for decades, has maintained that there is no credible evidence proving a connection between its herbicide and Parkinson’s disease. However, several scientific studies have found that paraquat can damage brain cells in ways associated with Parkinson’s.

In April, the company said it would stop making paraquat and would no longer attempt to sell paraquat products in the US and other countries, although generic versions remain available from other suppliers.

Vermont bans Paraquat may become a major test case for pesticide regulation in the US. The decision comes as Parkinson’s disease cases continue to rise globally. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people living with Parkinson’s has more than doubled in the last 25 years.

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