The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday reapproved the herbicide dicamba for use on genetically modified soybeans and cotton, raising widespread concern over its tendency to drift and destroy nearby crops.
The agency says dicamba is critical for farmers whose crops are threatened by fast-growing weeds. To ensure safe use of the pesticide, the agency said it has put strong safeguards and restrictions on its use.
Dicamba is a common herbicide that can be sprayed on genetically engineered crops. It kills weeds, but does not harm crops. It has been in use for decades, but in recent years it has become more widespread on farms.
Lawyers have been heavily criticized for pushing ahead after courts blocked similar attempts in 2020 and 2024. Advocates say that allowing its use on these two common crops would increase how much is applied and harm.
Kelly Ryerson, an activist in the Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, formed a fragile political alliance. Trump administrationsaid she was disappointed with the decision.
“My top priority is to permanently end the use of dicamba for over-the-top applications because of their harm,” she said. “The new restrictions on use are inadequate and will perpetuate the chemical treadmill many farmers are stuck on.”
The EPA says growers want herbicides and need to support them — and it’s not a Maha vs. EPA issue.
Concerns about dicamba drifting to unintended locations are real and must be addressed, the agency said. It sets limits on how much can be applied per acre, how much to apply on hot days, and buffer zones to prevent damage to nearby crops. If followed, the chemical can be used without posing a threat to humans or the environment, according to the EPA.
The American Soybean Association applauded the decision, saying the clearer rules will help farmers prepare for the next growing season and control destructive weeds.
Environmental sources said dicamba drift has damaged vast areas, destroying vegetable fields, trees and other critical plants.
“This administration is willing to bend over backwards to appease the pesticide industry, regardless of the consequences for public health or the environment,” said Nathan Donley, director of environmental health science at the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity.
Environmentalists say the EPA’s application limits are inadequate, allowing application for too long and too many days of the year. The buffer the agency uses to prevent harm to nearby plants has already proven ineffective, they said.
Researchers are working to better understand its health risks. According to a 2020 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology, dicamba exposure is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including liver cancer and a type of leukemia that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Bayer, the maker of dicamba, says federal registration will now allow it to obtain state approvals. They will begin training applicants in the coming weeks.
