Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, along with several other senators, has written a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the Biden Administration to appeal a recent court decision regarding dicamba-based crop protection tools. The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona has vacated certain Dicamba registrations, which could have a significant impact on farmers who have already made planting decisions for the upcoming spring season.

In the letter, the senators ask the EPA not only to appeal the decision but also to seek a stay pending the appeal. They also call on the agency to modify its existing stocks order to ensure that farmers, retailers, and manufacturers are not negatively affected this spring. The senators emphasize the importance of these crop protection tools for farmers, particularly in the context of no-till farming. They argue that losing access to dicamba-based products could force farmers to revert to full tillage methods, which would have negative consequences for yields and conservation efforts.

The senators express their concern for farmers who are already facing various challenges, such as high input costs, interest rates, and low commodity prices. They point out that the United States is a leading producer and exporter of soybeans and cotton, and any disruption in the availability of dicamba-based products could have global implications. The senators also highlight the potential supply constraints and increased input costs that farmers may face if alternative products are not readily available.

The letter concludes by emphasizing the importance of safe and effective crop protection tools for farmers to continue feeding, clothing, and fueling the world. The senators urge the EPA to promptly address the court decision in order to minimize the impact on farmers.

The letter was signed by Senators Jerry Moran, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Thom Tillis, John Hoeven, Pete Ricketts, Tommy Tuberville, James Lankford, Kevin Cramer, Bill Hagerty, Katie Boyd Britt, Chuck Grassley, Ted Budd, Deb Fischer, Mike Braun, Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn, Joni Ernst, John Thune, and Todd Young.

The senators are hopeful that their letter will prompt the EPA to take action and protect farmers' access to critical crop protection tools.