EPA Approves Controversial Herbicide, Twice Banned

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the herbicide dicamba, a substance that has faced two previous federal court bans. Environmental and health advocacy groups have expressed serious concerns, citing studies linking dicamba exposure to increased cancer risks, including colon and pancreatic cancers. Dicamba is known for its volatility, leading to significant crop damage through drift, with an estimated 15 million acres of soybeans affected in 2018 alone.

The EPA's latest decision, announced on February 6, 2026, establishes what the agency calls "the strongest protections in agency history." These include halving the application rate, imposing temperature-based spraying limits, and restricting use to trained professionals. The agency stated this approval is crucial for supporting cotton and soybean farmers who rely on dicamba to combat herbicide-resistant weeds that threaten crop yields and farm viability.

However, organizations like the Center for Food Safety argue that the implemented restrictions are inadequate. They point to the elimination of previous rules, such as the prohibition of spraying after June 30 and restrictions on nighttime application, which are critical for preventing volatile drift. Concerns also extend to impacts on non-dicamba-resistant crops, orchards, trees, and vital pollinator habitats, with beekeepers reporting significant reductions in honey production.