Minnesota House considering bill banning popular herbicide

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill banning certain herbicides.

The bill would ban paraquat dichloride, sometimes known as Gramoxone.

According to the EPA, paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S.

But after public pressure, the EPA issued mitigation measures on it’s use to mitigate exposure to people and the environment.

During a legislative hearing on the bill, advocates of those suffering from Parkinson’s disease say the disease is also linked to exposure to the pesticide.

“We are behind the world in protecting our farmers from this chemical. This is banned around the world in many agriculturally-based economies. Brazil, China, United Kingdom, Thailand, Switzerland, Vietnam have all banned this product,” said DFL Rep. Andy Smith of Rochester.

The bill was held over to be discussed more at a later hearing.

Minnesota Legislature is off this week for the Easter holiday and will resume the session April 7.