Page 1 - 061720-Market-Bulletin

EstablishEd 1917 a CEntury of sErviCE

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE • GARY W. BLACK, COMMISSIONER • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020 • VOL. 103, NO. 13 • © COPYRIGHT 2020
USDA, GDA protest federal court’s repeal of dicamba permissions

EPA will allow use of existing stocks through July 31

1917 – 2017
By Amy Carter of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit blocked use of the herbicide. the EPD to seek a stay on the decision and urge additional
amy.carter@agr.georgia.gov 100th Anniversary
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Georgia consideration for inventory ordered or scheduled, but not in
Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black were among those possession.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will allow who warned that the decision would cause significant finan- EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the cancella-
cotton and soybean growers who’ve invested millions of dol- cial harm to millions of American farmers. tion and existing stocks order is standard practice following
lars in three weed-killing products with the active ingredient “We strongly disagree with the Ninth Circuit’s decision, cancellation of a pesticide’s registration. He said the order
dicamba to use existing stocks that were in their possession which is likely to cause devastation within our agricultural will mitigate some of the economic consequences of the
on June 3. That was the date of a federal Circuit Court’s deci- community,” Black said. “Georgia farmers made tens of mil- decision for growers, and particularly rural communities, at
sion nullifying EPA pesticide registrations on three products lions of dollars’ worth of business decisions six months ago a time when they are experiencing great stress due to the
containing dicamba: XtendiMax with vapor grip technology, relying on the sanctity of federal rule, and this decision un- COVID-19 public health emergency.
Engenia and FeXapan. fairly attempts to change the rules after the race has started.” “At the height of the growing season, the court’s decision
The EPA order allows growers to use those products The EPA order on existing stock “will help mitigate some has threatened the livelihood of our nation’s farmers and the
through July 31. According to the agency, farmers “over- of the devastating economic consequences of the court’s de- global food supply,” Wheeler said.
whelmed” the EPA with calls and letters after the U.S. Court cision on growers,” Black said. “In addition, I still encourage See DICAMBA, page 11

Workers at Collins Bros.
Produce at the Atlanta State
Farmers Market pack boxes of
fresh Georgia-grown produce
for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Farmers to
Families Food Box Program.
The program has distributed
more than five million food
boxes in support of America’s
farmers and families affected
by the COVID-19 emergency
response. U.S. Secretary of
Agriculture Sonny Perdue
said the agency expects to
distribute up to 40 million
boxes nationwide by June 30.

(David Cowart/Collins Brothers Produce)

Please deliver this paid subscription to: Published by the Ga. Department of Agriculture Gary W. Black, Commissioner