EPA Proposes to Register Dicamba for Use on GM Crops
1 April 2016 In a milestone decision, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday it is proposing to register dicamba to control weeds in cotton and soybean genetically modified to tolerate dicamba, and it opened the public comment period.
The decision clears the way for in-crop use of Monsanto’s dicamba herbicide with Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans. BASF’s Engenia herbicide is another new low-volatility dicamba herbicide that can be used in the system.
“Weeds that are becoming increasingly resistant to glyphosate-based herbicides are posing a problem for farmers,” the agency said. “If finalized, EPA’s action will provide an additional tool to reduce the spread of glyphosate resistant weeds. To ensure that dicamba successfully manages weed resistance problems, the proposed decision outlines a Herbicide Resistance Management Plan which includes robust monitoring and reporting any suspected resistance to EPA, grower education and remediation. Additionally, EPA is proposing to limit the registration to 5 years, which would further provide protections if resistance to dicamba develops.”
A limited commercial introduction of Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton took place in 2015 with commercial launch in 2016. Monsanto announced its commercialization plans for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans in February. Monsanto’s Asgrow, Channel and regional brands, along with Corn States licensees, expect to introduce more than 70 soybean products across eight maturity groups with agronomic traits including resistance to nematodes and phytophthora root rot. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans are broadly licensed to more than 100 seed brands.
According to Monsanto:
Dicamba has a decades-long history of safe and effective use in the U.S. and 25 other countries in corn, wheat, fallow and pasture land, conservation tillage acres, as well as homeowner uses. Following final approvals, farmers will be able to use dicamba in-crop with soybeans tolerant to dicamba and glyphosate and with cotton tolerant to dicamba, glyphosate and glufosinate.
“Stakeholder comments will really make a difference,” said Kim Magin, Monsanto’s Director of Industry Affairs. “Supportive letters are important for regulators to understand the various perspectives from farmers and agricultural stakeholders.”
In December 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) concluded a thorough assessment of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans and Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton and authorized those crops for unrestricted commercial planting. Before reaching its decision, the USDA considered nearly 5,000 comments submitted by farmers, academic and scientific experts and other key stakeholders. An overwhelming majority of those who provided feedback during the public comment period voiced support for the trait technology.
EPA is soliciting public comment for 30 days. Comments on the EPA’s proposed regulatory decision must be submitted no later than April 30, 2016. Comments may be submitted to the EPA docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0187 at www.regulations.gov. After the comment period closes, EPA will review all of the comments and reach a final decision, which it expects to issue in late summer or early fall 2016.
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