Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride, is a toxic chemical that is widely used as herbicide (plant killer), primarily for weed and grass control. One sip of paraquat can be lethal and there is no known antidote. Due to the ease of availability, this toxic chemical has not been killing only weeds and grass in Fiji but people and animals too!

                                    Anecdotal evidence suggests that paraquat is:

(a)    the main suicide agent for suicides and attempted suicides in Fiji, and

(b)   largely used by people to kill stray animals.

                                    Why ban paraquat?

(a)               There are alternative means of controlling weeds and grass which are safer to living beings.

(b)               Approximately 38 countries around the world have already banned paraquat. These include some European Union countries, Thailand, Veitnam, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan and Samoa.

(c)               The ban of paraquat in South Korea and Samoa resulted in a significant decrease in the total suicide rate. This has led researchers in this area to conclude that banning paraquat should be a national suicide prevention strategy.

(d)               There are alternative means of dealing with stray animals – paraquat is not the solution, mainly because paraquat exposure can have unintended, horrendous consequences.

The benefits provided by paraquat to the agriculture industry can be easily replaced by a safer substitute. The lives taken by paraquat are IRREPLACEABLE.

JOIN US IN BANNING PARAQUAT!

#banparaquat #paraquatfreeFiji #noparaquat