US EPA Reverses Decision on Dow’s Toxic Enlist Duo Registration

The United States Environmental Protection Agency just reversed its registration of a next-generation herbicide meant for mass use on America’s crops.

The Natural Resources Defense Council sued the US EPA for green-lighting Dow AgroScience’s latest one-two punch in herbicidal products, a toxic concoction made with both glyphosate and 2,4-D (toxic chemicals). The Agrichemical company was given registration for Enlist Duo just over a year ago. But now the company faces the revocation of its registration due to serious concerns over the combination of the two herbicides and their potential adverse ramifications on both the environment and human health.

This action resolves a year-long legal challenge filed by a coalition of conservation groups seeking to rescind the approval of the dangerous herbicide blend. EPA had approved use of Enlist Duo in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and North Dakota, and had intended to approve it in additional areas in the near future.

Ironically, Enlist Duo was created to fix the failure of Round Up chemicals, Monsanto’s best-selling glyphosate- based herbicide, among the most-used herbicides in the states. Despite the companies’ claims for higher yields and fewer pests, farmers have experienced super-weeds and super-bugs by planting Round Up ready corn, soy, and other GM crops.

Concerning the EPA’s decision, Earthjustice Managing Attorney Paul Achitoff remarked:

“With this action, EPA confirms the toxic nature of this lethal cocktail of chemicals, and has stepped back from the brink.  Glyphosate is a probable carcinogen and is wiping out the monarch butterfly, 2,4-D also causes serious human health effects, and the combination also threatens endangered wildlife. This must not, and will not, be how we grow our food.” [1]

George Kimbrell, Center for Food Safety’s senior attorney said:

“The decision by EPA to withdraw the illegally approved Enlist Duo crops is a huge victory for the environment and the future of our food.”

He and others warn that we must remain vigilant to make sure the EPA does not make similar mistakes in the future.

[1] USNews