ARA Commends EPA Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba
Feb 14 2024
ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock released the following statement following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) update related to the Existing Stocks Order for dicamba product registrations.
“ARA is extremely grateful for the quick action taken by EPA to issue an Existing Stocks Order for the dicamba product registrations vacated by the federal court in Arizona on February 6, 2024. This order will allow for the continued distribution, sale, and use of these products within the channels of trade and growers' possession consistent with the FIFRA approved labels.
"As EPA noted in the order, ARA’s consistent position has been that, absent an EPA order allowing for the limited sale, distribution, and use of existing stocks, there will be unnecessary chaos and economic harm to agricultural retailers, distributors, and the farmers they serve.”
ARA’s grassroots advocacy along with other agricultural organizations working with senior EPA officials shows the value of industry stakeholder involvement in shaping public policy.
Background Information
On Feb. 7, ARA President & CEO reacted to the ruling out of a federal district court in Arizona that vacated the registration for over-the-top (OTT) applications of dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton:
"The timing of the decision is problematic. Farmers have already made their decisions about what varieties of cotton and soybean seed they want to plant in 2024, and retailers are already stocking not only the seed but also the herbicides these growers will need for their systems."
On Feb. 8, ARA sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in disagreement with the ruling and suggested next steps that the agency can take to help avoid unnecessary chaos and economic harm to ag retailers, distributors, and the farmers they serve. On Feb. 14, the EPA announced the issuance of an Existing Stocks Order for over-the-top uses of dicamba, referencing ARA's letter three times.
In addition to ARA's letter to EPA, ARA also coordinated a group letter involving several national agricultural organizations that was submitted to EPA on this topic.