California has moved to prohibit the use of paraquat, a controversial herbicide utilized on millions of acres of American farmland. The decision follows years of pressure from public health advocates who argue that the chemical is linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease. While the substance is currently banned in over 70 countries, including the United Kingdom, China, and members of the European Union, its use remains permitted at the federal level in the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) most recently reapproved the use of paraquat in 2021 and 2024, maintaining that the chemical can be used safely under strict regulatory conditions. This creates a regulatory divide between federal policy and California’s new state-level restrictions. As California is both the largest agricultural producer and the largest consumer of paraquat in the U.S., the ban is viewed by supporters as a landmark public health victory. Conversely, agricultural industry groups have historically argued that such bans limit the tools available to farmers for effective pest management, though this specific perspective was not detailed in the provided report.