ELWOOD, Ind. — Monsanto Co. and BASF Corp. have agreed to wording regarding wind direction on labels for their dicamba-based herbicides, according to the chair of the Save Our Crops Coalition (SOCC).
The labels for Monsanto’s M1691 and BASF’s Engenia would include application instructions designed to keep the products away from commercially sensitive crops, Steve Smith said.
Under the agreement, the labels would read: "Commercially grown tomatoes and other fruiting vegetables (U.S. EPA crop group 8), cucurbits (EPA crop group 9) and grapes are particularly sensitive to drift from this product. Do not apply when wind direction favors off-target movement onto these crops. At the time of application, the wind cannot be blowing toward adjacent commercially grown sensitive crops."
Previous versions of the proposed labels stated applications could take place with winds between 3-10 mph regardless of wind direction or adjacent crops, said Smith, also director of agriculture for Elwood-based Red Gold.
Monsanto and BASF are seeking approval from the EPA for their dicamba-based products.
The agreement with the SOCC was reached after a February meeting initiated by the companies, Smith noted. The EPA will have the final say on label wording.
"The wind issue is the biggest deal," he explained. "It’s the 100-pound gorilla in terms of crop safety. If we get nothing else as the Save Our Crops Coalition, I’m going to walk away feeling extremely positive with what we’ve accomplished."
Pat Morrow, BASF communications manager, confirmed potential label wording for new dicamba-based products was discussed at the February meeting.
"In keeping with our stewardship philosophy and practices, BASF remains committed to ensuring that growers have access to products that help them maximize their acre output, and that directions for use of any product help them achieve that," Morrow said.
"It is impossible to confirm at this time or predict what the final label wording will be, prior to product registration with the Environmental Protection Agency."
Monsanto said it was pleased to have ongoing dialog with grower organizations. "Under our longstanding commitment to stewardship, we are focused on delivering products to our growers that help them achieve more robust and sustainable harvests," the company said.
"We met with BASF and the Save Our Crops Coalition several months ago to share the proposed label we have submitted to EPA.
"The draft label and approach we shared is science-based and provides for safe application and use. We had a positive and productive conversation with SOCC and look forward to continued dialogue with them and other stakeholders."
The SOCC was formed in April 2012 over concerns with off-target damage from dicamba and 2,4-D. A primary concern of the organization has been the tendency for synthetic auxins to volatilize, or for their active ingredients to evaporate.
While wind direction has been SOCC’s primary focus, there are other concerns such as residue tolerances still to be decided by the EPA, Smith said. The organization doesn’t want to see the dicamba-based herbicides approved for use until after residue tolerances are set by the EPA. Such tolerances were previously issued for 2,4-D.
Without residue tolerances, any crop impacted by an off-target event would have to be destroyed, Smith noted.
"(The companies) are deathly afraid the residue tolerances won’t be ready in time," he explained. "They’re more than willing to get regulated without residue tolerances. The company rhetoric is they intend to have the residue tolerances by the time (their products) are regulated."
In September 2012, the SOCC reached an agreement with Dow AgroSciences regarding labeling on its 2,4-D Enlist products.
In addition to a similar statement regarding wind direction, the Dow agreement also called for the company to work with farmers on the proper use of its products.
Dow also pledged to use its laboratories and field staff to be sure its chemicals are applied correctly.
