Minnesota Department Of Argiculture Won't Enforce Appeals Court Ruling On Herbicide Ban

Press release from the Wright County Government:

June 8, 2020

In reaction to a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late last week that banned three dicamba herbicides, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has decided not to enforce the ruling and reinstated the use of the herbicides.

In a release sent out this afternoon (June 8), the MDA stated, “Upon further review of state law and while awaiting guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the ruling of the 9th District Circuit Court of Appeals regarding dicamba products, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will continue operating under existing pesticide program authorities.”

The release also went on to say that most farmers had already purchased herbicides for this growing season, citing that timing is critical for the application of herbicides and farmers would have faced a dilemma if unable to use the herbicides they had already purchased and were forced to buy different brands.

While currently allowing the dicamba products to continue being used, the MDA cautioned, “This may change at any time pending additional guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

To see the full news release from MDA, click here: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-announces-changes-use-dicamba-herbicide

This press release was produced by the Wright County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.