WASHINGTON, D.C. — An agreement between the Save Our Crops Coalition (SOCC) and Dow AgroSciences over the use of Dow’s Enlist 2,4-D formulation is a welcome step, according to the coalition’s chair.

The coalition has been concerned about off-target damage from exposure to the herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba. The agreement will lead to, among other things, changes in labeling for Enlist, said Steve Smith, SOCC chair and also director of agriculture with Elwood, Ind.-based Red Gold.

“The agreement calls for a change in application wind speeds,” he said. “The new label will say you cannot apply Enlist at any wind speed toward sensitive crops.”

Dow will also strive to ensure farmers don’t buy seeds and then purchase a generic formulation of 2,4-D to use with them, Smith said. In addition, the company will work with farmers on the proper use of Enlist by educating them on such things as wind speed and nozzle use.

“They’re going to be very progressive, very aggressive, toward preventing off-target movement,” Smith noted.

As a part of the agreement, SOCC will amend petitions it filed earlier this year with the USDA seeking an environmental impact statement and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting a scientific advisory panel. “SOCC believes that commitments made by Dow AgroSciences represent substantial measures to mitigate potential non-target plant damage impacts from herbicide spray drift and volatilization associated with 2,4-D tolerant crops,” the organization said, in a joint statement with Dow.

The tendency for synthetic auxins to volatilize, or for their active ingredients to evaporate, has been a primary concern of SOCC all along. The active ingredients could travel 1-2 miles from their intended target, Smith has said. The chemicals also may be spread through direct drift or spray tank contamination.

Dow will request an amendment to its label pending before EPA to include additional statements relating to herbicide applications near sensitive crops, the joint statement read. “Dow AgroSciences also affirms to assist in the investigation, diagnosis and resolution of alleged non-target claims, and in educating growers and applicators in management practices and proper application to reduce off-target movement, especially in areas with sensitive crops,” the statement said.

Smith doesn’t anticipate any problems with the EPA or USDA approving the amendments from Dow and SOCC. “I think they’re always glad when these things are decided by folks and not the bureaucracy,” he said.

Dow and SOCC have been working toward an agreement for a while, he said.

“I was pretty confident something was going to be reached eventually,” he explained. “They always gave signals they wanted to do the right thing. I’m quite pleased it did happen. People don’t credit big companies enough with wanting to do what’s right.”

SOCC was started earlier this year and represents thousands of farmers and growers across the country, Smith said. Its concern about off-target damage from 2,4-D and dicamba was heightened by the proposed introduction of 2,4-D- and dicamba-tolerant corn and soybeans, which could lead to an increased use of the chemicals, he has said.

Monsanto announced earlier this year it will introduce a dicamba-tolerant soybean next year. Smith said SOCC has had no talks with Monsanto.

“We’ve got a substantial battle ahead of us,” he said. “We would welcome those talks. I’m hopeful they’ll take this agreement as a cue. I’m hopeful, but I guess we’ll find out.”