Monsanto Sues Arkansas Regulator Over Dicamba Ban

Monsanto on Friday said it filed a complaint in Pulaski County Circuit Court in response to the Arkansas Plant Board’s “rejection of our petition to halt Arkansas’s unwarranted ban of XtendiMax” for the 2018 growing season.

Monsanto is challenging the restrictions as Arkansas edges closer to adopting a temporary ban on dicamba herbicides for next year. The Plant Board last month gave initial approval to regulations that prohibit the use of dicamba from April 16 through Oct. 31, 2018.

Scott Partridge, Vice President of Global Strategy with Monsanto, made the following statement:

“This is about growers. As a company, we are committed to putting the best tools in the hands of growers to control weeds. Growers in 33 other states are having an outstanding experience with Xtendimax. Growers in Arkansas deserve the same opportunity.

The Plant Board’s action disadvantages Arkansas farmers. Our complaint is the next step in a process that began with our petition to the Plant Board, and it seeks to make our low-volatility formulation available to Arkansas growers for the 2018 season. The Plant Board overlooked extensive volatility data provided to it – including data EPA used in its registration decision.

Our focus remains on growers in Arkansas and elsewhere – and making sure they have access to the best tools possible.”

Read more on what to expect for dicamba in 2018.