SOCC Petitions EPA To Amend Generic 2,4-D Labels To Indicate Use on 2,4-D Tolerant Crops is Unlawful
Today, the Save Our Crops Coalition (SOCC) petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require generic forms of 2,4-D to bear label statements indicating use on 2,4-D tolerant crops is prohibited.
Generic forms of 2,4-D are older formulations of 2,4-D known for their propensity to drift and volatilize. It is currently illegal to use generic forms of 2,4-D on 2,4-D tolerant crops. Dow AgroSciences’ (Dow) has petitioned to use only its advanced low drift and volatility 2,4-D formulation on 2,4-D tolerant crops. SOCC Chairman, Steve Smith, said, “It is not enough that it will be illegal to use generic 2,4-D formulations on 2,4-D tolerant crops. To avoid confusion and accidental violations of the law, the labels need to clearly tell applicators what the legal restrictions are. Illegally using a generic 2,4-D formulation could easily result in wiping out neighboring crops.”
The Save Our Crops Coalition (SOCC) is a grassroots coalition of farm interests focused on preventing injury to non-target plants from exposure to 2,4-D and dicamba. 2,4-D and dicamba are likely to be used far more extensively upon the introduction of new crops that are genetically modified for tolerance to 2,4-D and dicamba. SOCC is not opposed to plant technology advances, particularly genetic modification. However, SOCC does oppose regulatory actions that would result in herbicide use that causes substantial injury to non-target crops or the habitats necessary for their pollinators.