EPA Mulls Restricting Dicamba Use

EPA is considering setting a cutoff date for sprays of the dicamba following reports of crop damage linked to the herbicide, according to reports from Reuters.

In 2016, EPA received 117 complaints of dicamba injury in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. In Missouri alone, EPA reports damage from dicamba misuse was reported on more than 42,000 acres of crops including peaches, tomatoes, cantaloupes, watermelon, peas, and other row crops.

The deadline would be in place to protect crops vulnerable to herbicide injury, Reuters reports. This proposal was discussed during one of three conference calls the agency held with state regulators on dicamba injury and how to address the issue.