The Environmental Protection Agency last week declared dicamba under its ?restricted use? category, but a weed scientist from Illinois has doubts the new restrictions will be beneficial. Aaron Hager, a weed scientist and professor at the University of Illinois, stated, ?Nothing in these new restrictions addresses volatility, and that?s still an issue.? The EPA said Friday it would classify dicamba as restricted use, limit spray times and required wind conditions, along with requiring detailed record keeping of dicamba use. Under the requirements, certified pesticide applicators, or people under their supervision, will be allowed to spray dicamba in 2018. However, that restriction may not do much to reduce crop damage related to sprayings because many farmers and commercial applicators are already certified, according to experts.
Monsanto and BASF, makers of dicamba-based herbicides, welcomed the EPA announcement. Growers across the U.S. said this summer that dicamba affected areas other than where it was sprayed, damaging millions of acres of crops that could not tolerate the herbicides.
Source: NAFB News Service
The post Weed Scientist Has Doubts Over Dicamba Restrictions? Effectiveness appeared first on Hoosier Ag Today.
