Dow moving ahead with Enlist corn in Canada despite US setback

Dow AgroSciences is moving ahead with plans for Enlist corn in Canada, despite a significant regulatory setback in the United States.

“From a standpoint of Canada, it is completely business as usual,” said Jeff Loessin, general manager of Dow Seeds Canada.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took an unusual step Nov. 25 when it asked the courts to withdraw the registration of Dow’s Enlist Duo herbicide. The EPA had registered Enlist Duo in 2014.

The EPA is concerned about the herbicide’s impact on non-target plants. Enlist Duo, a mixture of glyphosate and a new formulation of 2,4-D, is part of Dow’s new Enlist system for corn and soybeans.

Dow has registered Enlist, a herbicide tolerant trait, in Canada and the U.S. The genetically modified trait allows growers to spray glyphosate and 2,4-D on corn and soybeans for weed control.

The EPA said it hasn’t studied the synergistic effects of glyphosate and 2,4-D and how the two herbicides may affect “non-target organisms.”

Dow, in a statement, said it is talking to the EPA and hopes the matter can be resolved quickly.

“We do not expect these issues to result in the long-term cancellation of the Enlist Duo product registration.  We continue to prepare for commercial sales of Enlist Duo for the 2016 growing season.”

Loessin said Canadian producers should be able grow Enlist corn, even if Dow and the EPA don’t sort out the issue before spring.

Using the new herbicide on corn grown in Canada shouldn’t disrupt corn shipments to the U.S.

“The critical part is making sure the MRL (maximum residue limit) is in place, and that’s been established for this herbicide,” he said.

“Because the residue limit and the trait approval are in place in the U.S., (there are) no concerns from that standpoint, that we can see.”

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency said it is monitoring the EPA’s actions, but Enlist Duo remains a registered herbicide in Canada.

“Health Canada regularly reviews new health and safety information that comes to light,” a PMRA spokesperson said in an email.

“Should new information emerge, the department will evaluate the data and assessments.”

The commercial launch of Enlist corn is uncertain even if the EPA and Dow resolve their issues around Enlist Duo because China has not approved the genetically modified trait for import.

In response, Dow decided to delay its full-scale launch of the product, pending Chinese approval.

Dow did allow some producers in Canada and the U.S. to grow Enlist corn over the last couple of years, but it could be used only as feed on the farm and not sold into the market.

Dow intends to move forward on a similar trial program next year for Enlist soybeans in Canada.

China is expected to decide on the Enlist trait before the end of the year.