Bayer responds to U.S. Court of Appeals Dicamba ruling

Company distributes email to farmer customers.

6/9/2020

Bayer CropScience has issued a statement to farmers about the recent furor over its XtendiMax dicamba products.

In an email to growers June 9, the company says:

“In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s move on June 8, issued an order in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s June 3, 2020, ruling that vacated current U.S. registrations of certain low-volatility dicamba products, including XtendiMax Herbicide with VaporGrip Technology. The Court ruled in favor of a petition challenging the EPA’s 2018 registration decision. The subsequent action by the EPA provides, among other things, that “growers and commercial applicators may use existing stocks that were in their possession on June 3, 2020, the effective date of the Court decision. Such use must be consistent with the product’s previously-approved label, and may not continue after July 31, 2020.”

“The EPA’s order addresses the use, sale, and distribution of existing stocks of XtendiMax herbicide and the other low-volatility dicamba products impacted by the Court’s ruling. Click here for the EPA’s full order – see page 11 for key details.

“We will keep roundupreadyxtend.com/xtendimaxupdates updated with the latest information for our customers. Our top priority is making sure all our customers have the support they need to have a successful season.

“The Court’s June 3 ruling pertains specifically to the EPA’s 2018 registration decision, which expires in December 2020. The EPA is currently reviewing a new registration for XtendiMax for the 2021 season and beyond – we hope the EPA completes the review and issues a new registration by this fall.

“Know that Bayer stands fully behind XtendiMax herbicide. We are proud of our role in bringing innovations like XtendiMax forward to help growers safely, successfully, and sustainably protect their crops from weeds. We will continue working with the EPA, growers, academics, and others to provide long-term access to this important tool.”