The United States Environmental Protection Agency is likely to increase restrictions on the use of dicamba, but not this year because officials said it’s too late.
A new agency report reveals that despite increased restrictions, more than 3,500 dicamba issues were reported this year, almost all related to drifting into other crops.
The EPA said more than one million acres of non-dicamba tolerant soybeans were reported to be damaged. However, grower groups are asking for more clarity, saying EPA's data may be riddled with gaps.
The report was detailed as part of EPA's review of dicamba use and off-target movement. The agency was assessing whether dicamba can be sprayed on dicamba-tolerant crops without causing "unreasonable risks" to other crops.
“Right now we don’t know whether over-the-top dicamba can be used in a manner that doesn’t pose unreasonable risks to non-target crops and other plants,” said Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the EPA’S Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, after the report was released.
The review of dicamba by EPA also shows the off-target movement hit other crops, as well as trees, as the agency weighs whether further restrictions will be warranted to help prevent risks to other crops.
While it’s too late for the EPA to act this year, it said it will work with other states to impose additional restrictions.
Dicamba is a Bayer product registered for use in Canada.
