Ignoring Congress Concerns over safety EPA approves expanded use of Combo Herbicide
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the special blending of the two herbicides developed by Dow. Enlist Duo, containing 2,4-D and glyphosate, for use on Dow’s 2nd generation GMO corn, soy and cotton. About 18 weeds have developed resistance to 2,4-D over the more than 50 years it has been in use. So the idea is to use both herbicides, with each one eradicating the weeds that the other one can’t. Beyond Pesticides states:
” These super weeds now infest tens of millions of acres of U.S. farmland. However, independent and USDA scientists predict that the Enlist Duo “crop system” will only foster resistance to 2,4-D in addition to glyphosate, thus continuing the GE crop pesticide treadmill and escalating the cycle of more toxic pesticides in the environment. Additionally, the health effects of both 2,4-D and glyphosate are well documented. 2,4-D has been linked to soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), neurotoxicity, kidney/liver damage, and harm to the reproductive system. Glyphosate has been recently classified as a human carcinogen based on laboratory studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March.”
Thirty – five members of Congress expressed their concerns over the safety of the spray requesting “more information about EPA’s plan to reevaluate Enlist Duo’s health and environmental risks.”
“This is part of a vicious cycle that is leading to more potent, dangerous chemicals being widely used on crops across the United States,” said Rep. Blumenauer. He continued, “With the rise of herbicide-resistant genetically modified crops, herbicides are more widely sprayed causing weeds to grow more resistant — ultimately, requiring the application of even stronger herbicides. EPA must take action to make sure products entering the market to be used on our food are safe for human health and the environment.”
Meanwhile, Monsanto, the developer of Roundup Ready corn, is developing its own new generation of herbicide-resistant crops able to withstand a third weed killer.
The USDA considers only whether the genetically engineered seeds represent a hazard to other crops; the EPA is responsible for overseeing the safety of herbicides used in agriculture. No agency looks at the bigger policy question of whether the nation is embarking on a potentially dangerous path toward creating ever-more-resistant weeds and spraying them and crops with larger and larger doses of stronger herbicides. That question should be answered before the country escalates the war out in the fields. -LA TIMES
READ: Beyond Pesticides History behind the Question and Approval of Enlist Duo
READ: Escalating the weed wars
READ: Appendix citing concerns over safety of Enlist Duo Center for Food Safety
