DOVER, Del. (June 9, 2020) – Following the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to vacate three dicamba registrations, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued guidance that will allow Delaware growers to used existing stocks of the three dicamba products affected.

“While we are disappointed with the Court’s decision in vacating these product registrations, we are grateful that EPA has announced that growers and pesticide applicators will be able to use these dicamba products through July 31,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “As long as environmental conditions are favorable, this timeframe should allow growers to spray their crops to combat weeds like pigweed, palmar amaranth, and other glyphosate-resistant weeds so they don’t see a reduction in crop yield.”

EPA has since announced the issuance of the final cancellation order for three pesticide products containing the active ingredient dicamba pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA):

• Xtendimax with Vaporgrip Technology, EPA Reg. No. 524-6 17
• Engenia, EPA Reg. No. 7969-345
• FeXapan, EPA Reg. No. 352-9 13

Commercial and private pesticide applicators who were in possession of these products as of June 3 when the Court’s decision was announced, may continue to use these products until July 31. Distribution or sale of the product is prohibited except for ensuring proper disposal or when returning the product to the registrant.

Dicamba is primarily used on soybean crops in Delaware but is also labeled for use in cotton production.

Pesticide applicators who have more questions can review the EPA cancellation order, They should reach out to their chemical sales representatives for information regarding disposal or returning any remaining product. Applicators should continue to follow all label instructions when applying dicamba products.

###

Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, stacey.hofmann@delaware.gov

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture is urging all pesticide applicators that plan to use dicamba this growing season to check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) online Bulletins Live! Two system on a monthly basis before spraying. This new online system allows agriculture and other pesticide users to easily determine where pesticide use limitation areas (PULA) exist due to the protection of endangered species.

“I would encourage farmers and other pesticide applicators to print a copy of the bulletin and carry it with them during the application. In case they get questioned, this verifies that they have checked the website before the application,” said Christopher Wade, DDA Pesticides Section Administrator. “Since the bulletin and the corresponding maps are only valid for a month, applicators need to complete this process every month.”

Currently, Sussex County is the only county in Delaware with Dicamba Pesticide Use Limitation Areas. The online system provides a more detailed view of where the PULA is located compared to receiving a county level impact that is not truly county-wide.

To make it easy to find, the Delaware Department of Agriculture has linked the Bulletins Live! Two online system to their webpage at https://de.gov/pesticides. Users will need to enter in their address into the search bar and if there is an effective PULA identified it will be displayed in a pink color. Clicking on the PULAs will reveal a summary of the products, codes, and limitations required.

Dicamba is an herbicide that can be applied to the leaves or soil to control annual and broadleaf weeds in grain crops and pastures. If the pesticide label directs the applicator to the online Bulletins Live! Two system, then the applicator is required to follow the pesticide use limitation(s) found in the Bulletin for the intended application area, pesticide active ingredient or product, and application month.

###

Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov