Syngenta said it will stop producing paraquat globally by the end of June, including at its facility in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, where the company’s operations play a role in supplying the herbicide in the United States. The company’s announcement marks a significant shift for paraquat, which environmental advocates say is among the most dangerous pesticides and which they note has been banned in more than 70 countries.
Syngenta said the change was driven by “entirely a commercial reason,” and in a statement reaffirmed its position that paraquat is safe when used correctly. The company pointed to high competition from generic producers around the world, saying that competition eroded Syngenta’s competitiveness in paraquat production. Syngenta’s announcement also comes as the company faces thousands of lawsuits over what critics describe as failures to inform users about paraquat’s health risks, according to the report.
Paraquat is used by U.S. farmers for weed control, and the report said much of the paraquat used by farmers enters the country through New Orleans. It also said paraquat is repackaged and distributed in the United States from Syngenta’s manufacturing site in St. Gabriel, a community that residents and advocates often describe as part of “Cancer Alley” because of industrial pollution concerns along the Mississippi River.
Syngenta did not respond to questions about whether the company’s decision would lead to layoffs or how operations at the St. Gabriel site might change, the report said. The company told the outlet that in 2024 the facility employed 350 full-time workers and relied on another 450 contractors.
Local reactions reflected a mix of support for reducing paraquat risk and uncertainty about broader environmental impacts. Alex Robertson, 57, a former chemical plant worker who regularly liaises between the chemical industry and the St. Gabriel city council, described the move as “a step in the right direction,” and said he believes Syngenta considered the growing number of lawsuits in deciding to cease production. Robertson also said he is not anti-industry but argued that factories can reduce chemical emissions and be more transparent about what they release, while supporting community jobs, scholarships and infrastructure.
Marylee Orr, founder and executive director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), said legal pressure can influence corporate decisions. Orr said “I think lawsuits can be a very powerful nudge and a reminder,” adding that LEAN installed air quality monitors along the Mississippi River in 2023 and has been working to install more in St. Gabriel in recent years. She said data from previously installed LEAN monitors showed high levels of volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in neighboring communities, and she called paraquat “a very highly toxic substance.”
Others pointed to lingering concerns about emissions from the broader industrial landscape. Retired counselor and activist Reginald Grace, 72, said he welcomed the news but did not believe St. Gabriel’s leadership would pressure other factories to limit production of other toxic chemicals or help install additional air quality monitors residents could use to hold companies accountable if emissions rise over time. Grace said, “We have enough (cancer) cases here as it is,” and told the outlet he was not sure he would engage city council because he believes local officials do not take action.
Melvin Craige, 75, said he did not want the community to be seen as anti-industry, noting that local factories have provided social services such as college scholarships, tutoring, school computers and trade classes. He said he supports installing air quality monitors and added that he wants companies to “do a better job of filtering hazardous chemicals that they know are hazardous,” calling Syngenta’s decision “great” and saying it benefits both the company and the community.
The report said St. Gabriel’s city council and the mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment. It also highlighted that paraquat exposure can cause serious injuries and is associated with health risks described by public health agencies, while citing an Environmental Protection Agency memo stating “one sip can kill,” and citing U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information on inhalation risks.