WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Houchin, alongside a bipartisan coalition of her colleagues, sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging immediate action to safeguard farmers’ access to essential Dicamba-based crop protection tools.
The recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, which would have barred the use of Dicamba, caused an uproar in the agricultural community, as farmers have already finalized production plans for the upcoming spring planting season. Dicamba is pivotal in no-till farming practices, aiding weed control and protecting crops.
The EPA issued an Existing Stocks Order providing limited authorization for the sale and distribution of Dicamba products already in the possession of growers or within the channels of trade and beyond the control of pesticide companies. However, Congresswoman Houchin and her colleagues are urging further adjustments to mitigate potential disruptions to agricultural operations.
In their letter, lawmakers called the EPA to appeal the court’s decision swiftly.
The letter says explicitly:
“The decision from the District Court came at an inopportune time for farmers across the country who had already begun purchasing seeds and herbicides for this growing season or—in some areas—had already begun planting. While the Existing Stocks Order provides short-term certainty for this growing season, growers must have access to these products in future growing seasons. It is estimated that more than 50 million acres of Dicamba-tolerant soybean and cotton will be planted this growing season. As such, the District Court’s decision’s impacts will be felt domestically and globally in future growing seasons as the United States is one of the world’s leading soybean and cotton producers, a leading soybean exporter, and the leading cotton exporter.”
“Soybean producers in southern Indiana rely heavily on Dicamba products to protect their crops and have for over 50 years,” remarked Congresswoman Houchin. “While I am thankful for the EPA’s Existing Stocks Order, I am fighting for a long-term solution for our growers.”
Congresswoman Houchin is dedicated to protecting essential farming practices and ensuring growers have the tools and resources necessary to succeed.
