NAAA Objects to Prohibition of Aerial Application of Soybean and Cotton Herbicide

NAAA submitted comments to the EPA this week on their proposed decision to approve a new use and expand the geographical range for an existing use of the herbicide isoxaflutole. Isoxaflutole is used for pre-plant, pre-emergence, early post-emergence, and burndown applications and is intended to control herbicide-resistant weeds. It’s currently used on isoxaflutole-resistant soybean in 34 states. EPA’s proposed decision seeks to add use on isoxaflutole-resistant cotton and increase the number of states the herbicide can be applied to soybean. Unfortunately, aerial application is prohibited on both crops.

NAAA objected to the prohibition, pointing out that while many pre-plant and pre-emergence herbicide applications are made by ground, aerial application should be an option for times when weather prevents ground application from making timely applications. Considering the major intended use of isoxaflutole is to control herbicide resistant weeds, delayed control is highly undesirable. NAAA proposed the same restrictions for aerial applications EPA has approved for many other pesticides, including the use of wind-directional buffer zones to protect endangered species as EPA outlined in their herbicide strategy. NAAA’s comments can be read here.