On behalf of the “Ban Paraquat in Samoa” Committee (BPS), we congratulate Samoa’s Ministry of National Resources and Environment (MNRE) on their historic announcement regarding Samoa’s effort currently underway in reviewing the Paraquat situation in our country for a potential total ban of Paraquat in Samoa, at a recent UN global Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Spokesman and Assistant CEO Seumalo Afele Faiilagi added: Once again … this is to ensure environmentally sound management of chemicals to protect our island’s environment and human health.

At the same time, here at home, our concern continues to deepen regarding the absence of any response whatsoever from the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (MAF) to our formal petition, dated 29 November 2022, to ban the lethal agritoxin Paraquat (PQ). Therefore, we respectfully request an official decision from the Samoan government regarding whether or not to ban Paraquat, or at the least, to tighten restrictions regarding its use. More than a year ago, the Samoa Observer published assurances from the CEO of MAF that an official review of PQ would be forthcoming by the end of 2022. Now at mid-year of 2023, we have yet to see any word of that review. Every day that this critical decision is delayed means that more people and animals suffer unnecessary harm and/or death by this lethal chemical. We submit that we have already presented sufficient and compelling evidence to warrant a phased ban on Paraquat. Furthermore, we believe that it is past time for the government to fulfil its duty of care for our country by taking a reasoned decision in this matter posthaste.

Science has shown that chronic exposure to Paraquat increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 200% to 600%.^[i] In September of 2022, researchers at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health found exposure to Paraquat by itself or in combination with other pesticides showed ‘consistent positive associations’ with thyroid cancer as well.^[ii] Other studies identify health risks linked to PQ, including kidney failure, heart failure, lung scarring, and liver failure.^[iii] Given overwhelming evidence already amassed globally condemning PQ use – to date prompting fifty-eight countries to ban the toxin -- it is no surprise that multi-billion dollar lawsuits are now underway in US courts linking the toxin with Parkinson’s disease and other fatal illnesses plaguing multitudes of farmers, agricultural workers, and their families.^[i] 

Because we fully appreciate the central roles played by agriculture, healthy farms, rural communities, and sustainable livelihoods in a robust national economy, our fundamental concern lies with identifying and securing safer, more viable alternatives to PQ. Fortunately, we need not look far afield to find safer options for weed control, such as Diuron, Amine, and Valpar, now being used successfully in Fiji following their ban on PQ in January of 2020.^[ii] In addition, “numerous registered herbicides” already available on the market can be used in Paraquat’s place, including imazethapyr, iamazamox, hexazinone, clethodim, bromoxynil, 2,4-D, and coelenterazine, according to a recent statement from the National Center for Biological Diversity in the US.^[iii] 

In 2022 BPS submitted both official and unofficial requests to relevant ministries for basic data regarding PQ use in Samoa -- its impacts on public health and environmental sustainability, as well as oversight and monitoring of compliance and enforcement of regulations, including health surveillance. Unfortunately, those requests were largely ignored. Therefore, we now publicly request the long-delayed report on the Government's review of Paraquat use in our country.

As we confront today’s unparalleled challenges of climate and environmental catastrophe, our deepest hope is that Samoa can summon the wisdom and political will to join with Fiji and the ever-growing community of nations who have chosen the path of scientific evidence by banning Paraquat in favour of safer alternatives. We stand at a historical crossroads. The course we choose now will determine the future health of our people, lands, animal life, and natural resources for generations to come.