Farm leaders talk up farm chemical safety standards in response to paraquat toxicity concerns

Gregor Heard
Updated April 6 2021 - 4:04pm, first published 2:00pm
Australia's chemical handling standards mean paraquat use is restricted to those with chemical handling qualifications, reducing the risk of poisoning according to the grains industry.
Australia's chemical handling standards mean paraquat use is restricted to those with chemical handling qualifications, reducing the risk of poisoning according to the grains industry.

FARM leaders have backed claims from the manufacturer of the herbicide paraquat that the product's high toxicity does not put both farmers and the broader community at higher risk.

Gregor Heard

Gregor Heard

National Grains Industry Reporter

Gregor Heard is ACM's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his 15 years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector.

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