# Australian Senate inquiry into paraquat regulation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/australian-senate-inquiry-into-paraquat-regulation
> Updated: 2026-09-10T04:00:26.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

The Australian Senate has referred a decision regarding the herbicide paraquat to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. This follows a motion by independent Senator David Pocock to investigate the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) decision to permit the continued use of the chemical under stricter restrictions.

While the APVMA recently completed a 30-year review concluding the product should be retained, health advocates have raised concerns regarding potential links between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease. Agricultural representatives have criticized the inquiry, with WA Farmers grain council president Mark Fowler describing the move as an “utterly arrogant” decision that may replace scientific analysis with political solutions.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Australian Senate refers paraquat herbicide decision to inquiry

The Australian Senate has referred the APVMA's decision to retain the herbicide paraquat to an inquiry, sparking concerns from farmers regarding regulatory independence and scientific integrity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australian-senate-refers-paraquat-herbicide-decision-to-inquiry

### 2026-08-20: Australian Senate recommends clearer hemp pet product regulations

An Australian Senate committee has urged the APVMA to simplify regulations for hemp-based pet nutrition to reduce industry confusion and clarify product classifications.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australian-senate-recommends-clearer-hemp-pet-product-regulations

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Cite as: Australian Senate inquiry into paraquat regulation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/australian-senate-inquiry-into-paraquat-regulation