Diquat

Diquat (diquat dibromide) is a contact herbicide and plant growth regulator. It is used as a desiccant for potatoes and seed crops, to control flowering of sugarcane, and for industrial and aquatic weed control.

Diquat is listed as a dangerous poison in Schedule 7 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). For preparations containing less than 20 per cent diquat, the SUSDP lists diquat in Schedule 6. Diquat may be fatal to humans if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. There is no antidote.

Diquat review

Status: review in progress

In December 1994 diquat was nominated for review as part of the Existing Chemicals Review Program (ECRP) established to systematically review a number of Agvet chemicals that had been on the Australian market for some time. Diquat was nominated because of concerns relating to the environment, public and occupational health and safety, and residues.

In December 1997 the APVMA began a review of diquat. The review will provide the APVMA with information to enable it to determine whether the existing use of diquat should continue in Australia.

Following the assessment of diquat the APVMA will release a preliminary review findings (PRF) report outlining the proposed regulatory arrangements for the future use of diquat. There will be an additional public consultation period providing all members of the community with an opportunity to comment on this report before it is finalised.

The APVMA will issue a final report once the assessment of all available data is completed.

For more information please contact the Chemical Review Program on (02) 6210 4749 or by email to chemrev@apvma.gov.au

Review report	Date
No report available

Product search

Search the PUBCRIS database for registered products that contain diquat.
Note: In the Active Constituent 1 field enter diquat.

APVMA diquat archive

Title	Date
APVMA diquat standard	Aug 2004