By Carolyn Suggate|Published On: 24th June, 2026|Categories: Farming, Food, Knowledge, Organic Industry|0 Comments|

Australia is in an illness crisis. With some of the highest levels of Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease, Cancer and non-communicable diseases in the world, why are these illnesses increasing? Perhaps it is due to Australia, the so-called green and clean ‘lucky country’ being a dumping ground for the most toxic chemicals in the world, many banned from more than 70 other countries

What is behind these decisions? Who is supposed to be regulating the system to prevent harm to humans, environments and future generations?

There is a big story behind all this which needs to be revealed.

The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is supposedly an independent authority assessing applications from chemical manufacturers as to their ‘safety’. Interestingly, the APVMA’s business model relies on charging application fees then taking a ‘levy’ on all sales of these products which is a conflict of interest to independence. You can read more about this from the https://organicoperators.au/node/741 submission to APVMA on cost recovery and risks to the organic industry.

The APVMA’s 30-year study into the ‘safety’ of paraquat and subsequent re-approval is littered with dangers including that the period of time to dessicate or ‘crop dress’ many crops from seven to fourteen days will not happen until June 2028. So, if you buy non-Organic chick peas, potatoes and onions, you are also getting a robust dose of paraquat.

**The Paraquat Dirty Dozen includes:-**

Chickpeas
Rice
Potatoes
Onions
Lentils
Soybeans
Faba Beans
Cowpea
Mungbeans
Adzuki Beans
Lupins
Vetch

** These food products can be treated with paraquat, diquat or glyphosate only 2 – 7 days prior to harvest as a ‘crop dress’ to dry seeds off. Highly recommended to add these to your ‘buy organic only’ list.

The Paraquat Dirty Dozen list directly from the Grains Research Development Corporation

All Australians deserve to trust that food sold in supermarkets is fit for human consumption and will not cause debilitating chronic illnesses such as Parkinsons, cancer, diabetes and cardio-vascular conditions.

This recent decision to ‘approve’ paraquat in spite of 75 other countries banning it raises significant questions about who actually influences Australia’s food regulatory authorities –

Why does Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) allow this known chemical to be approved as ‘safe’?
Why are the departments of agriculture, food and health so wilfully ignorant of the evidence-based research demonstrating the dangers of paraquat?
With the continued use of paraquat, what could this mean for Australia’s export markets?
Why didn’t APVMA’s 30-year research into the ‘safety’ of paraquat take into account it being banned for domestic use in the EU and UK in 2007 and in China in 2017 (in spite of these countries still manufacturing it)
Please read ORICoop’s recent blog https://organicinvestmentcooperative.com.au/whats-in-a-name/

Parkinson’s Australia is deeply disappointed by this decision. Evidence is clear there is a direct link between exposure to paraquat to Parkinson’s Disease. Added proof comes from noting where the clusters of people affected occur; four particular local government areas in Victoria coincide with the growing of particular crops that have paraquat sprayed on them to dessicate (kill) the leaves prior to harvest. These locations include The Grampians and Loddon Mallee regions, and specifically the Shires of Buloke, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians, and the City of Horsham.

The farmers’ reason to use this chemical is dictated by the receivers of the crops (chickpeas, lupins, lentils and other crops) which demand a certain moisture percentage at and post harvest. In some circumstances, farmers seemingly have no choice but to use these and other chemicals to ‘crop dress’ the crops to reduce this moisture level at their own and end consumer’s risk.

What can I do?

Become aware and educated about how crops are grown and what chemicals are used is personal responsibility as government ‘authorities’ cannot be trusted even to mandate truth in labelling.
Seek out organically certified products as they are third-party certified not using any toxic or synthetic chemicals herbicides, fertilisers or GMOs
Take a deep interest in your and your family’s wellbeing by finding the growers of the foods you decide to eat at farmers markets, Organic food cooperatives, local community gardens and Landcare groups.
Practice the joys of growing, tasting, preparing and sharing foods you have grown….and notice how you smile more often.
Your decisions have outcomes on your health, the functionings of landscapes and the wellbeing of communities. Your. Decisions. Have. Outcomes. Will they nourish you and the next five generations?
Become an advocate and join your SLOW tribe and enjoy the company of like-minded eaters.
Avoid the Paraquat Dirty Dozen and share this information with others. Buy organic more often.