On May 3, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it received an application from Bayer CropScience LP for a new product containing the currently registered active ingredient dicamba. The proposed product includes use of dicamba on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. EPA is announcing a 30-day public comment period consistent with Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 3(c)(4) because the proposed product involves a new use pattern for dicamba. EPA states it is also seeking comment on the associated draft labeling that was submitted by Bayer, which is available here. Comments are due on or before June 3, 2024, and can be submitted under the docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0154.

EPA states the proposed labels would allow application to dicamba-tolerant soybeans made before, during, or immediately after planting until emergence of the seedling, but no later than June 12 of each year. Application to dicamba-tolerant cotton in this proposal would be allowed before, during, or immediately after planting, or “over the top” of the cotton plant, but no later than July 30 of each year.

Additional information on dicamba is available on our blog and on EPA’s website.