Syngenta Quits Paraquat Amid Parkinson's Lawsuits

Syngenta, a maker of the pesticide paraquat, announced on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, that it will discontinue production of the controversial weed killer by the end of June. This decision comes as the company faces thousands of lawsuits in the US. Plaintiffs allege that exposure to Syngenta's paraquat products contributed to their development of Parkinson's disease.

Citing "significant competition" from generic manufacturers and paraquat's "less than 1 percent" contribution to its global sales, Syngenta stated the move aims to "focus resources where they deliver the greatest value." The company affirmed its stance that paraquat is safe when used according to label instructions and remains an effective weed control method.

Neurologists and public health advocates have called Syngenta's withdrawal a public health milestone. For decades, research has suggested a link between certain pesticides and increased Parkinson's risk. While Syngenta has historically described evidence as "fragmentary" and "inconclusive," over 8,000 lawsuits are pending concerning these allegations. The company has previously settled cases and is negotiating to resolve a substantial number of ongoing lawsuits.

Internal documents, revealed in conjunction with The New Lede, indicated Syngenta was aware of research linking paraquat to Parkinson's decades ago and allegedly attempted to influence scientific information. The US Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating new data before a final regulatory decision. While Syngenta is exiting the market, other companies produce generic versions of paraquat, which will continue to be available as long as the chemical is approved.