VermontVermont bans paraquat use and sales, with limited fruit grower permits
Starting November 1, 2026, Vermont law bans paraquat use and sales, with limited permits for some fruit growers through December 31, 2030.
What it does
Vermont law bans using or selling paraquat. The agriculture secretary may issue written permits for use or sale in fruit tree orchards, berries, or small fruits through the end of 2030.
The agriculture secretary must report each year on paraquat use in Vermont.
Argument forThe ban may reduce paraquat use in Vermont while allowing limited permits for some fruit growers during the transition.
Argument againstGrowers may lose access to paraquat for berries and orchard trees after 2030, even if they rely on it to manage pests.
More detail
Vermont law bans the use and sale of paraquat, with limited permits available from the agriculture secretary. The ban applies statewide to using or selling paraquat. The Secretary may issue written permits for paraquat use or sale in fruit-producing tree orchards or for berries or small fruits. The law takes effect November 1, 2026. Permits may last up to three years, but no permit may extend past December 31, 2030. After that date, the ban applies throughout the state.
The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets must provide an annual report on paraquat use in Vermont. The report concerns paraquat use in Vermont. The source does not state when the first report is due.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26House message: Governor approved bill on May 26, 2026Latest
- May 26Signed by Governor Phil Scott on May 26, 2026Became Law
- May 20Delivered to Governor on May 20, 2026To Governor
- May 15House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 13Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 13Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 12Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 8Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 7Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 7New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 63rd reading ordered
- May 6Proposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture agreed toMinor
- May 6Reported favorably by Senator Norris for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 6Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Major for Committee on AgricultureMinor
- May 6Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 6Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AgricultureMinor
- May 6Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 5Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AgricultureMinor
- May 5New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 1Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 1Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AgricultureMinor
- May 1Second ReadingMinor
- May 1Entered on Notice Calendar
- Apr 30Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- Apr 30Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AgricultureMinor
- Apr 30Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 30Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 25Read 1st time & referred to Committee on AgricultureMinor
- Mar 20Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 20Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 19Report of Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry agreed to
- Mar 19Rep. O'Brien of Tunbridge reported for the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
- Mar 19Read second timeMinor
- Mar 19Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 18Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 17Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 21Read first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and ForestryIntroduced
Agriculture