The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), concluding that Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans and Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton should be fully deregulated.
“The final EIS moves us one step closer to the introduction of Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, paving the way to provide access to dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton,” says Miriam Paris, Monsanto Xtend system launch manager. “This is a significant milestone in providing farmers new tools to manage weeds and time more efficiently, which will help farmers have better harvests.”
Before reaching its decision, USDA considered nearly 5,000 comments submitted by farmers, academic and scientific experts and other key stakeholders. An overwhelming majority of those who provided feedback during the public comment period voiced support for the trait technology.
“This technology will be another tool in farmer’s toolbox, enabling us to have another mode of action in the fight against resistant weeds,” says Wade Cowan, a farmer from Brownfield, Texas. “Weed resistance contributes to smaller yields, and this dicamba technology will help me better manage weeds.”
