Following Bayer, BASF submitted an application to the U.S. EPA for the registration of the herbicide Dicamba

According to a notice published in the Federal Register on June 4, BASF is seeking EPA approval for its wheatgrass herbicide product Engenia for use on soybean and cotton crops. The EPA has begun accepting public comments on proposed labeling of Engenia products for 30 days.

At the same time, Bayer also submitted a proposed label for its Dicamba product, XtendiMax, and received 232 comments by the deadline. These reviews focused on the safety of the product and its potential impact on the environment.

In February, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona revoked the three companies' licenses for direct spraying on top of plants (OTT use) for their Dicamba products, Engine, XtendiMax and Tavium. After the registration of these products is revoked, the company must reapply to ensure that its products can continue to be sold on the market.

The EPA said it has included BASF's proposed label in its docket for review, given the potential concern the application may raise from a wide range of stakeholders. Bayer has submitted a proposed label to the EPA for KHNP0090, also known as XtendiMax, which was registered after its withdrawal. The proposed changes include two applications, in soybean, with an application deadline of June 12, excluding OTT applications. In cotton, the use of OTT will be allowed until July 30.

The review period is expected to last 17 months, which could affect growers' use of these herbicides through 2025. Growers, environmental groups and the public are closely watching the EPA's final decision because it will have important implications for their business and the health of the environment.