Paraquat Prevention Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 30, 2026
Bottom line
The Paraquat Prevention Act seeks to enact a comprehensive and permanent ban on the herbicide paraquat in the U.S. due to public health and environmental concerns.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the immediate cancellation of all registrations for the pesticide paraquat, effectively banning its use and sale in the United States. It also requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke any existing tolerances for paraquat residues in food and prohibits the future reregistration of the chemical.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that paraquat poses significant health risks, including links to Parkinson's disease and acute poisoning incidents among agricultural workers, and that a ban is a necessary public health measure. They emphasize aligning U.S. chemical safety standards with those of many other developed nations that have already banned or severely restricted paraquat.
Opponents contend
Opponents, primarily from the agricultural sector, contend that paraquat is a vital and cost-effective tool for weed management, especially for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds and facilitating no-till farming practices. They argue that a ban would increase production costs, reduce yields, and potentially lead to the use of less effective or more environmentally harmful alternatives, asserting that current regulations are sufficient to mitigate risks.
The bill is exceptionally short and clear, allowing for rapid comprehension of its core intent and provisions.
Section 2(a)(1) and (2)
Immediate Cancellation of Paraquat Registration
This provision declares that paraquat generally causes unreasonable adverse effects on the environment, as defined by federal law. Consequently, it mandates that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) immediately cancel the registration of all uses of paraquat upon the bill's enactment. This action effectively bans the pesticide from being legally used or sold in the U.S.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this immediate cancellation is necessary to protect public health and the environment from the known dangers of paraquat, which has been linked to severe health issues and acute poisoning incidents. They believe the risks outweigh any agricultural benefits and that safer alternatives exist.
Critics contend
Opponents would argue that this provision is an overreach, removing a vital and effective tool for farmers without adequate consideration for its role in sustainable agriculture and resistance management. They would contend that existing regulations and restricted-use protocols are sufficient to manage risks.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances public health and environmental protection against agricultural productivity and the economic interests of farmers and the chemical industry. It trades the convenience and effectiveness of a specific herbicide for potentially safer alternatives and reduced health risks.
Section 2(a)(3)
Revocation of Paraquat Food Tolerances
Following the cancellation of paraquat's registration, this provision mandates that the EPA Administrator revoke any existing tolerance levels or exemptions that permit the presence of paraquat or its residues in or on food. This ensures that no food products will legally contain any detectable levels of paraquat after the ban, providing an additional layer of consumer protection.
Section 2(b) and (c)
Ban on Existing Stocks and Future Reregistration
This provision explicitly prohibits the continued sale and use of any existing stocks of paraquat immediately upon the bill's enactment, overriding standard provisions that might allow for the depletion of existing inventories. Furthermore, it permanently bars the EPA Administrator from ever reregistering paraquat under section 4 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, ensuring the ban is permanent and irreversible.