Source: NC FARM BUREAU, 8/26/20
 
Editor's Note:  An electronic copy of the letter was sent to EPA by NCDA&CS and yesterday we hand delivered a hard copy to EPA Region 4.

August 24, 2020

The Honorable Andrew Wheeler

Administrator

Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Mail Code: 1101A

Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Wheeler,

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we ask the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reach a timely and judicious decision on the new registrations for the Dicamba products Xtendimax®, Engenia, and FeXapan®. We ask that these registrations be simple, clear and understandable so that our farmers will have clarity on the availability of these important crop protection tools as they began making their planting decisions for 2021.

Agriculture contributes over $91 billion to our state economy and is by far our largest industry. The March 2020 USDA Prospective Plantings report indicated that together North Carolina cotton and soybean farmers will plant a combined 2 million acres representing an important part of the state’s agricultural economy. But, weeds present real challenges to our farmers and can result in significant reductions in yield if left untreated. These Dicamba products are critical in allowing our farmers to realize positive yields and remain a viable part of our agricultural economy.

We understand that the June 3 decision by the 9th Circuit Court was unprecedented and presented serious challenges to farmers during the height of the growing season but also to your agency whose authority was challenged by this decision. We encourage EPA to remain steadfast in carrying out the duties it was tasked with by Congress through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

Our state takes great pride in our robust pesticide education and pesticide stewardship programs that are developed by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the NC Cooperative Extension Service. The auxin training program has proven very effective in North Carolina at reducing the incidents of drift resulting from Dicamba and other auxin herbicides. Our applicators also understand that effective weed control involves using a variety of modes of action to address and avoid resistance, including the OTT use of Dicamba products.

Farmers are beginning to make some of the most important decisions that they will make all year by selecting what seeds they plant and what crop protection tools they will use to treat their crops. These choices result in significant investments and farmers need to have clarity before such decisions are made.

We understand the complexities of the registration decision EPA must make on the Dicamba products Xtendimax®, Engenia, and FeXapan®, but we ask that you reach this decision as expeditiously as possible so that our farmers can make the important decisions that they are also facing.

Sincerely,

North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation

North Carolina State Grange

North Carolina Cotton Producers Association

North Carolina Soybean Producers Association

AgCarolina Farm Credit

Carolina Farm Credit

Cape Fear Farm Credit

North Carolina Agribusiness Council