EPA Moves to Reapprove Dicamba Despite Federal Court Bans

The Environmental Protection Agency announced its proposal on Wednesday, suggesting that new mitigation measures—including strict temperature limits and drift reduction requirements—will curb environmental harm. EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou stated these efforts are designed to minimize impact on specific species and ecosystems. However, the decision has drawn immediate fire from advocacy groups, including the Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity, who argue the chemical has already caused the most significant drift damage in U.S. agricultural history.

Critics point to the recent appointment of Kyle Kunkler, a former lobbyist for the American Soybean Association, as a sign of industry influence dictating policy. Kunkler now serves as the deputy assistant administrator for pesticides in the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. Environmental watchdogs suggest his presence signals a retreat from campaign promises to reduce toxic chemical exposure, highlighting a disconnect between the administration's stated health goals and its regulatory actions. The EPA’s proposal remains open for public comment until August 22, while major pesticide manufacturers like Bayer, BASF, and Syngenta continue to support the agency’s push for reauthorization.