Dicamba Technology Deregulated

Herbicide Trait Gets a Go

Dicamba-tolerant cotton could see a limited launch in 2015 now that USDA has deregulated the trait. (Photo: Monsanto Corporation)

OMAHA (DTN) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday deregulated Monsanto's new Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System which gives dicamba tolerance in soybean and cotton. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans are genetically engineered to tolerate a new herbicide formulation of glyphosate and dicamba. Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton plants tolerate glyphosate, dicamba and glufosinate.

The trait system is designed to tackle broadleaf weeds and help farmers control the widespread trend of glyphosate-resistant weeds.

Monsanto now waits for the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the herbicides that match the trait program. USDA's announcement of the trait deregulation indicated EPA is nearing completion of its concurrent review of the new use of the related herbicides. EPA is expected to make its proposed regulatory decision in coming months.

According to USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, the EPA analysis includes a review of any potential human and environmental risks posed by the new uses of these herbicides on GE cotton and soybean plants. Among the risks considered by the agency is the possibility of off-site movement to sensitive crops and other areas, a concern that has been widely voiced by environmental groups. Dicamba has historically been known for the potential to "move" off target.

P[L1] D[0x0] M[300x250] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]

Once herbicide approvals are received, growers can expect to see limited launch of the Bollgard II XtendFlex in 2015, said Monsanto's cotton portfolio lead Scott Bollman. During a corporate product pipeline discussion last week, the company revealed that a full-scale commercial launch of the soybean trait is anticipated in 2016, pending global authorizations.

A scientific dossier on the Xtend trait was submitted to China in November 2014, and Monsanto continues to wait for import approvals there. The company has stated it will not launch the dicamba soybean trait without all key import approvals in place.

A company press release indicated Monsanto has been working for 10 years to develop the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System and bring it to market.

Link to statement: http://content.govdelivery.com/…

For more information about the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System, visit www.XtendCropSystem.com.

Pam Smith and Emily Unglesbee contributed to this story.

(GH/CZ)

P[] D[728x170] M[320x75] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]
P[L2] D[728x90] M[320x50] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]
P[R1] D[300x250] M[300x250] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]
P[R2] D[300x250] M[320x50] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]
DIM[1x3] LBL[article-box] SEL[] IDX[] TMPL[standalone] T[]
P[R3] D[300x250] M[0x0] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]