Company to cease production of toxic herbicide banned in more than 70
countries
[March 12, 2026]
By MADHRI YEHIYA/Verite News
Multinational agriculture technology company Syngenta announced last
Tuesday (March 3) that it will cease global production of the herbicide
paraquat by the end of June, including at its facility in Iberville
Parish.
Banned in more than 70 countries, paraquat is repackaged and distributed
in the United States from Syngenta’s manufacturing site in St. Gabriel,
a small city that sits along a heavily-industrialized stretch of the
Mississippi River. Nicknamed “Cancer Alley” residents in St. Gabriel
face a higher risk of cancer from industrial air pollution than most of
the country.
Syngenta did not respond to questions from Verite News about whether any
workers will be laid off as a result of the decision or how operations
may change at the St. Gabriel facility. In 2024, the facility employed
350 full-time staff and another 450 contractors, according to the
company.
The decision comes as the company faces thousands of lawsuits for
failing to inform users of paraquat’s many health risks. But a Syngenta
representative said the move was made for “entirely a commercial
reason,” citing high competition from other producers. Some local
residents and environmental activists celebrated the move, calling it a
step in the right direction to protect workers from the dangerous
herbicide and possibly reduce air pollution in the community. Verite
News reported in November on the work of St. Gabriel activists to
monitor and reduce chemical air pollution.
U.S. farmers commonly use the highly toxic paraquat for weed control.
Much of the paraquat used by the farmers enters the country through New
Orleans, according to a recent report by Coming Clean, Alianza Nacional
de Campesinas and Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network. Along the
way, workers at the ports and in the company’s facilities risk exposure
to the chemical.
A 2017 Environmental Protection Agency memo noted that paraquat is so
toxic that “one sip can kill,” and that even minimal contact can cause
serious injury to the eyes and skin. Inhaling paraquat can also cause
lung damage, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Exposure to the chemical is associated with Parkinson’s
disease. A 2020 Louisiana State University study concluded there is a
greater risk of the disease in areas where pesticides, including
paraquat, are used.
Coming Clean, an environmental justice nonprofit, said while the
decision comes at a time when public awareness of the dangers of
paraquat is rising, much more work remains to be done to eliminate the
use of harmful chemicals in farming.
“Paraquat has poisoned people and the environment since its genesis, and
while one less company making it is worthy of celebration, the movement
must press onward toward global food supply chains that are not reliant
on toxic pesticides,” the organization said in a press release.
In a press release, Syngenta said the decision “reflects significant
competition from generic producers around the world, which has eroded
Syngenta’s competitiveness in the production of this herbicide.” The
company’s statement reaffirmed their belief that paraquat is safe when
used correctly and did not address research showing links between the
herbicide and Parkinson’s disease nor the ongoing lawsuits.
Alex Robertson, 57, a former chemical plant worker who regularly liaises
between the chemical industry and city council, called the move a “step
in the right direction.” He said despite what the company claims, he
believes Syngenta took into account the growing number of lawsuits in
deciding to cease paraquat production.
“The business decision is that they know they’re going to be in more
legal trouble later down the road,” he said. “If they don’t stop making
it, they’re going to face lawsuits.”
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The Syngenta logo is seen outside the company's headquarters, Feb.
7, 2007, in Basel, Switzerland. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP,
File)
 Robertson added that while he is
also not anti-industry, he believes the factories can and should
reduce chemical emissions and be honest about what they are
releasing into the environment, in addition to providing more jobs,
scholarships and infrastructure for the community.
“I think lawsuits can be a very powerful nudge and a reminder, if
people feel that a company is not doing the right thing,” said
Marylee Orr, founder and executive director of the Louisiana
Environmental Action Network (LEAN). The environmental
not-for-profit installed air quality monitors along the Mississippi
River in 2023 and has been working to install some in St. Gabriel
for the past few years. Data collected from previously installed
LEAN monitors showed high levels of volatile organic compounds and
particulate matter in neighboring communities.
“It’s a very highly toxic substance,” Orr said. “We’re not happy
about people (potentially) losing jobs, but we’re happy about
people’s health being protected.”
Syngenta’s facility produced over 52,000 metric tons of greenhouse
gases in 2023. In 2024, the facility emitted 76 tons in total toxic
volatile organic compounds, which hang in the air and are known to
cause eye, nose and throat irritation, nervous system issues and
liver and kidney damage. St. Gabriel is also home to other
industrial plants that emit hazardous chemicals including ethylene
oxide, a carcinogen.
Retired counselor and local environmental activist Reginald Grace,
72, said while the news is welcome, he does not believe St.
Gabriel’s leadership will pressure local factories to limit
production of other toxic chemicals, nor will they assist in the
installation of air quality monitors for residents to hold factories
accountable if emissions are indeed increasing over time.
“We have enough (cancer) cases here as it is, so this would be
something less to worry about,” he said. “I’m not going to City
Council because they don’t take action on anything. I’m just glad
that it’s happened.”
The St. Gabriel City Council and the mayor’s office did not respond
to requests for comment.
Melvin Craige, 75, is a lifelong resident of St. Gabriel. He said he
doesn’t want to be seen as anti-industry because the factories have
provided various social services over the years, including college
scholarships, tutoring, new school computers and trade skill classes
such as welding and piping. Craige was principal of East Iberville
Elementary and High School from 1990 to 2005.
However, like many St. Gabriel residents, Craige is aware of the
scientific research showing the negative health effects of air
pollution caused by chemical production and is in support of
installing air quality monitors.
“I want them to do a better job of filtering hazardous chemicals
that they know are hazardous,” he said. “I think it’s great (news) …
I think they did what was best for themselves and also for the
community.”
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