EPA gives alarm at reports of injury from pesticide dicamba, may change labels; manufacturers may have withheld data

The Environmental Protection Agency "is actively reviewing how the new dicamba labels performed this summer and is alarmed at the levels of injury reports surfacing from some states, [according to] EPA Deputy Press Secretary Tim Carroll," Emily Unglesbee reports for DTN/The Progressive Farmer. EPA could change product usage labels following the review, Carroll told DTN.

"In search of a clearer picture, the agency sent letters on Sept. 9 to Bayer, BASF, Syngenta and Corteva, demanding that they turn over more information on dicamba injury reports from the 2021 season. The letters suggest EPA believes companies are withholding certain reports, such as damage to seed production and research fields, or cupped soybean fields that companies believe should be attributed to other causes," Unglesbee reports. "The letters also mention allegations that companies are ignoring reports of cupped soybeans if the company investigators believe another source is the problem, such as drought or soybean genetics."

Bayer told DTN the letters were routine, but didn't address the alleged missing studies and injury reports. BASF told DTN the firm was already complying with EPA's requests, and Syngenta hasn't responded to requests for a statement, Unglesbee reports. Corteva discontinued its dicamba product earlier this year.

In addition to pesticide companies, "The agency also is communicating with the Weed Science Society of America, state extension agents, academics, the Association of American Pesticide Officials and USDA about off-target dicamba movement this summer, "Unglesbee reports.