What is Dicamba?
Dicamba is a powerful herbicide developed to kill “superweeds”
that have become resistant to glyphosate, the primary chemical used in
Roundup and other herbicides of choice by farmers nationwide. Although
dicamba has been used for years by some professional landscape engineers
and home gardeners, typically as a component in other herbicides, it was
reintroduced by Monsanto for its
Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans,
Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton, and Bollgard 3 XtendFlex Cotton.
While Monsanto developed dicamba-resistant GMO strains of soybeans and
cotton, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has voiced concerns
over the agribusiness’ proposed uses for dicamba, which is notorious
for its toxicity, volatility, and potential for affecting other crops.
Due to its risks for drifting and off-site movement that can cause harm
to crops and farmers, the EPA delayed approval of new dicamba formulations
for years.
Recently, however, it approved three new formulations of the herbicide
for the 2017 growing season that were supposedly less harmful than prior versions:
- XtendiMax (manufactured by Monsanto)
- Engenia (manufactured by BASF)
- Fexapan (manufactured by Dupont)
Because these dicamba formulations entered the market without being independently
tested, and because numerous farmers were misled into believing they were
safer than other versions, millions of acres of crops have been damaged.
The conduct of Monsanto and other manufacturers amounted to a real-life
experiment – one which unfortunately came at the expense of farmers
whose livelihoods depend on their crops.
Complaints and Lawsuits Increase Nationwide
Following widespread damage caused by dicamba drifting, a record number
of complaints have been made by farmers in numerous states. This includes
Arkansas and Missouri, where hundreds of complaints led to state-wide
bans on the use of dicamba. Several other states have also implemented
restrictions on using the herbicide.
In total, estimates report that over 3 million acres of soybeans have been
destroyed by dicamba, as well as valuable crops such as tobacco, tomatoes,
fruits, rice, cotton, and standing timber and ornamentals. The damage
is expected to rise. Modern Farmer suggests that farmers impacted by dicamba
may lose as much as 30% of their annual crop yield.
In order to hold Monsanto and other manufacturers accountable for their
conduct, farmers have begun filing lawsuits that seek compensation for
damages to their crops and the financial harm they suffered. These lawsuits
allege that manufacturers sold dicamba crop systems despite knowing it
would damage crops and trees that were not tolerant to the herbicide.
Helping Farmers Seek Justice
If you are a commercial farmer who has suffered losses due to crops damaged
by dicamba – including herbicides marketed under the brand names
XtendiMax, Engenia, and Fexapan – you may have a potential case
against the manufacturers. Our lawyers at CR Legal Team are available
to help you learn more about your rights and how we can guide you through
the legal journey ahead. Our firm is passionate about protecting the rights
of the wronged and, because we treat our clients like family, we are committed
to fighting aggressively for the compensation they deserve.
