Dow Resolves Matter with Coalition on 2,4-D-Tolerant Crops
11 September 2012 
Dow AgroSciences and the Save Our Crops Coalition (SOCC), a grassroots coalition of more than 2,000 farmers and food companies that opposed Dow’s new 2,4-D-tolerant Enlist cropping system, successfully resolved the SOCC’s concerns, they announced on Sept. 11.
“Both Dow AgroSciences and SOCC have achieved a better understanding of each other’s perspective and concerns as well as have agreed to take additional steps to ensure the coexistence of the Enlist technology with sensitive crops growers. To this end, each organization agreed to modify positions with respect to pending regulatory matters around 2,4-D tolerant crops,” Dow said.
Dow has taken “substantial measures to mitigate potential non-target plant damage impacts from herbicide spray drift and volatilization associated with 2,4-D tolerant crops,” SOCC said. The group formed earlier this year in an effort to prevent injury “to non-target plants from exposure to 2,4-D and dicamba,” according to its website.
In light of this, SOCC will amend its comments and petitions to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the extent they challenge applications for approval of Dow’s new seed and herbicide products to be commercialized as part of the Enlist Weed Control System.
Dow said it will request an amendment to its label pending before EPA to include additional statements relating to herbicide applications near sensitive crops. “Dow AgroSciences also reaffirms its commitments to assist in the investigation, diagnosis and resolution of alleged non-target claims, and in educating growers and applicators in management practices and proper application to reduce off target movement, especially in areas with sensitive crops.”
(Source: Dow AgroSciences and Save Our Crops Coalition; edited by Jaclyn Sindrich, Managing Editor)
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