Monsanto responds to Arkansas, Missouri dicamba bans

Date:07-11-2017

Monsanto, provider of the dicamba-tolerant Roundup Ready Xtend crop system for soybeans and cotton, issued the following statement last Friday, July 7 after Arkansas announced it would ban the herbicide for at least 120 days due to hundreds of drift complaints:

Farmers are the lifeblood of our company. Not only is our work at Monsanto focused on helping farmers be successful, but many of our employees also grew up on farms and have deep roots in farming communities. Like many others in the agriculture community, we are concerned about the reports of potential crop injury in Arkansas.

We sympathize with any farmers experiencing crop injury, but the decision to ban dicamba in Arkansas was premature since the causes of any crop injury have not been fully investigated. While we do not sell dicamba products in Arkansas, we are concerned this abrupt decision in the middle of a growing season will negatively impact many farmers in Arkansas.

We strongly encourage farmers using dicamba in other states to make their voice heard. Share how important this tool is to your farm and how you are using it responsibly. We have heard those stories. To ensure your continued access to dicamba products, make sure your elected officials and relevant agencies hear those stories, too.

In the many states we do sell dicamba, we will continue our efforts to help farmers use dicamba successfully. We encourage customers with questions or concerns to call 1-844-RRXTEND.

Hours later, the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced a stop sale, use or removal order on dicamba. Monsanto responded:

Missouri has reiterated its commitment to allow farmers to have access to technology and this decision to issue a temporary Stop Sale, Use or Removal Order for all agricultural uses of dicamba products in Missouri allows the State to engage in an expedited investigation process and consider additional special local need labeling restrictions for the remainder of the 2017 growing season.  Monsanto will actively engage in that process and appreciates the continued collaboration with the State of Missouri.

Monsanto is complying with the Order and encourages all growers, retailers and distributors to do the same.

We spent years developing the XtendMax with VaporGrip Technology to minimize the potential for off-site movement.  We want to stress how important it is that growers and applicators who use our product follow the label requirements and any local requirements.

Dicamba products approved for in-crop use are valuable tools for growers to manage problematic weeds.  Monsanto is committed to remaining actively engaged in this conversation and doing our part to help farmers use the Roundup Ready® Xtend® Crop System successfully.

We strongly encourage farmers using approved dicamba products in other states to make their voice heard. Share how important this tool is to your farm and how you are using it responsibly. We have heard those stories. To help ensure your continued access to dicamba products, make sure your elected officials and relevant agencies hear those stories, too.

We encourage customers with questions or concerns to call 1-844-RRXTEND.