Dicamba 2021 Report on Dicamba Incidents
- What is EPA doing now to evaluate over-the-top dicamba registrations?
- Why does EPA believe that 2021 incident reports may have been underreported?
- What can farmers expect for the 2022 growing season?
- Can organizations proceed with the same dicamba trainings as last year?
1. What is EPA doing now to evaluate over-the-top dicamba registrations?
On December 21, 2021, as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to transparency and scientific integrity, the Agency provided a summary of dicamba-related incident reports from the 2021 growing season obtained from pesticide registrants, States, the general public, and non-governmental organizations. Despite the control measures implemented in EPA’s October 2020 dicamba registration decision, the 2021 incident reports show little change in number, severity, or geographic extent of dicamba-related incidents when compared to the reports the Agency received before the 2020 control measures were required.
Given the new information from the 2021 growing season, EPA is reviewing whether over-the-top dicamba can be used in a manner that does not pose unreasonable risks to non-target crops and other plants, or to listed species and their designated critical habitats. EPA is also evaluating all of its options for addressing future dicamba-related incidents.
To view the report and supporting documents, visit docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0492 at www.regulations.gov.
2. Why does EPA believe that 2021 incident reports may have been underreported?
Several sources of information indicate widespread underreporting of dicamba-related incidents.
In 2020, EPA compared the incidents reported to EPA against incidents reported in USDA’s 2018 Soybean Agricultural Resource Management Surveys (ARMS) and estimated that approximately one incident is reported to EPA for every 25 incidents reported to USDA.
Additionally, a survey of midwestern specialty crop growers found that 45 percent of those surveyed had crops impacted by some level of herbicide drift in 2020. However, the survey indicated that only 6 percent of growers reported incidents when herbicide damage was detected in 2019 and 2020. Respondents did not distinguish damage by herbicide, but reported dicamba, 2,4-D or glyphosate as the most likely herbicide causing damage.
Through meetings, letters, and media reports, EPA has received input from stakeholders that is consistent with the finding that dicamba-related incidents are underreported to state lead agencies.
For information on the factors that may contribute to underreporting, view page 30 of EPA’s memo.
3. What can farmers expect for the 2022 growing season?
Given the new information from the 2021 growing season, EPA is reviewing whether over-the-top dicamba can be used in a manner that does not pose unreasonable risks to non-target crops and other plants, or to listed species and their designated critical habitats. EPA is also evaluating all of its options for addressing future dicamba-related incidents.
EPA is committed to helping states address issues related to incidents in their jurisdictions. If a state wishes to further restrict or narrow the over-the-top uses of dicamba, the Agency will work with them to support their goals. Additionally, due to the extent and severity of reported incidents from the 2021 growing season, EPA is unlikely to approve section 24(c) requests under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to register additional uses of federally registered over-the-top dicamba products to meet special local needs.
Registrants can propose voluntary measures to amend their labels or cancel specific products or uses.
If EPA determines, following consideration of such a proposal, that such measures would address unreasonable adverse effects associated with the product or use, the Agency commits to conducting a public comment period prior to the adoption of any proposed decision designed to address the extent and severity of these incidents. In the absence of a voluntary request to cancel the product(s), it is unlikely that this process could occur and be fully implemented before the 2022 growing season. For more information see: Voluntary Cancellation of a Pesticide Product or Use.
If EPA determines that it is necessary to initiate cancellation of a registration for a pesticide, the following process is used: Pesticide Cancellation Under EPA's Own Initiative.
4. Can organizations proceed with the same dicamba trainings as last year?
Yes, over-the-top dicamba training should continue. Last year’s trainings will still reflect the current labels.