As might be expected, treatment of weeds affecting GMO crops has created superweeds caused by the overuse of glyphosate which we know is the main chemical in Round-Up and other pesticides. So, Monsanto and DuPont have agreed to supply a new weed killer for GMO crops known as dicamba in the United States and Canada. This year 1 million acres of GMO soybeans were planted. According to Reuters, by adding this new herbicide to GMO soybean seed, Monsanto expects 15 times more acres to be planted with GMO soybeans in 2017 and 55 times more by 2019.
On January 20, 2015, the USDA announced its final decision to allow the sale of seed that has been genetically engineered to tolerate dicamba.
The USEPA has not yet approved the use of dicamba for GMO cotton and soybeans or as a new herbicide, nor has it analyzed its impact on endangered or threatened species. The posted comment period has ended, but all documents and comments in the docket are available for review.
There is already concern about how dicamba will affect habitat since it is prone to spray drift. We know that indiscriminate herbicide spraying in conjunction with GMO agriculture has caused a huge decline in nearby wildlife habitat. We also know that herbicide treatment of landscaping adversely affects many of our pollinators. Aldo Leopold must be turning over in his grave….
Dicamba is not a new herbicide; only now newly being used for GMO crops. Dicamba-resistent weeds have already been found in several states, so logically, we can assume there will be a new round of superweeds as a result of this new partnership. Of course, then Monsanto and DuPont will need to come up with a new chemical mixture — it’s a never-ending circle.
Thank you Maryann Whitman for bringing this latest news to my attention.
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