Syngenta says it will stop making pesticide linked to Parkinson’s disease

In a significant shift for the agricultural industry and a major milestone for the Parkinson's community, the chemical giant Syngenta has announced it will cease the production of paraquat by the end of June 2026. This decision comes after years of intense scrutiny, scientific debate, and thousands of legal challenges from people who developed the condition following exposure to the controversial weedkiller. While the company maintains that the move is a commercial decision based on low sales and high competition, many neurologists and advocates view it as a hard-won victory for public health. For decades, researchers have raised alarms about the neurotoxic effects of paraquat. Numerous studies have shown that the chemical can damage dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, mimicking the exact biological changes seen in the condition. Internal documents recently brought to light through joint investigations by the Guardian and The New Lede suggest that the company was aware of these potential links as far back as the 1960s. Despite these findings, Syngenta has consistently argued that the evidence remains inconclusive and that the product is safe when used according to the label instructions. The timing of the announcement is particularly notable as Syngenta faces over 8,000 pending lawsuits in the United States. Many of these cases involve farmers and agricultural workers who used the herbicide for years without being warned of the long-term neurological risks. Several high-profile trials have recently moved toward settlements, suggesting a changing tide in how the legal system views environmental toxins. Neurologists specialising in the environment have noted that if production truly stops, we may see a decrease in the number of people developing the condition in the future. However, the end of Syngenta’s production does not mean the chemical will disappear overnight. Paraquat remains approved for use in several countries, and other manufacturers still produce generic versions of the herbicide. Public health experts warn that while this is a step in the right direction, the fight for a complete and global ban must continue to protect future generations from avoidable environmental risks. For now, the community can celebrate a moment where collective advocacy and scientific persistence have finally influenced a major corporate trajectory. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images