Syngenta has been manufacturing paraquat at its Huddersfield plant for two decades. Syngenta, the Swiss pesticide firm, is exporting thousands of tonnes of highly toxic weedkiller paraquat, which was banned in the EU in 2007, to developing countries from an industrial plant in the UK. The company has been accused by campaigners and environmental groups of using a loophole that allows it to export its products without any checks on their safety. According to Swiss NGO Public Eye, Syngenta, which is responsible for 95% of Europe’s paraquat exports, has exported 122,831 tonnes of the weedkiller from the UK since 2015. Almost two thirds of the exports go to developing countries, including Brazil, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Venezuela.
Syngenta, the Swiss pesticide firm, is exporting thousands of tonnes of highly toxic weedkiller paraquat, which was banned in the EU in 2007, to developing countries from an industrial plant in the UK. The company has been accused by campaigners and environmental groups of using a loophole that allows it to export its products without any checks on their safety. According to Swiss NGO Public Eye, Syngenta, which is responsible for 95% of Europe’s paraquat exports, has exported 122,831 tonnes of the weedkiller from the UK since 2015. Almost two thirds of the exports go to developing countries, including Brazil, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Venezuela.