Updates on herbicide legal battles

Three conservation and environmental groups say that dicamba is too risky to use on row crops, until independent research shows it will not evaporate and harm nearby crops and plants.

The EPA is considering possible rules for using it in the future, after an appeals court revoked three dicamba registrations in June. The EPA is allowing farmers to phase it out this season.

The three groups issued a report saying that dicamba is blamed for off target damage on millions of acres of crops.

Meanwhile, a coalition wants New York’s governor to veto a bill that would ban use of glyphosate on state land. The group represents diverse ag and forestry communities.

They sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo stating that glyphosate is a risk management tool that has been used for more than 40 years, with 800 studies submitted to regulators proving it is safe to use.

They claim removing regulatory authority from New York’s State Department of Environmental Conservation makes this a political issues instead of a decision based on scientific research.