AgroPages-Save our crops requests EPA to hold up on dicamba registration-Agricultural news

The Save Our Crops Coalition (SOCC) has requested the U.S. EPA to submit itself to National Environmental Policy Act procedures, and prepare an environmental impact statement that considers herbicide use within the dicamba-tolerant cropping system.

SOCC opposes Monsanto's and BASF's efforts to register the use of dicamba on dicamba-tolerant crops, and has requested EPA withhold registrations until effective measures are in place to mitigate the effects of non-target plant damage.

BASF spokesman Daniel Pepitone says BASF has seen Dow's announcement following its discussions with SOCC about Dow's new 2,4-D-tolerant crops, and is already taking steps to understand concerns.

"We have met with numerous stakeholders, and I think we have a vigorous and robust outreach with them, making sure we listen and address their concerns," Pepitone says. "Much of what we have seen in [the Dow-SOCC agreement] are things that we are actively working on."

Monsanto says it is looking forward to dicamba's promise as a tool in weed management, and is confident federal evaluation processes and applicators both will ensure responsible use.