The three sectors who will lose the most under paraquat changes

The proposed changes mooted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in regards to usage patterns for the herbicides paraquat and diquat are likely to have an impact on all grain growers, but industry expects some sectors to be worse hit than others. Grain Producers Australia acting chief executive Peter Arkle said upon going through the APVMA's proposals there were some clear areas of concern. Croppers in northern regions along with pulse and canola producers stand to be the biggest losers if the changes are implemented. The use of diquat, normally under the trade name Reglone, as a desiccant in pulse and canola crops would be deregistered under the changes. "This is a major obstacle for canola and pulse producers as the desiccation has been critical in getting the crops to mature evenly, in particular in pulses it is hard to achieve an even maturity without desiccation," Mr Arkle said. An APVMA spokesperson said the use of diquat as a desiccant was ...