Dicamba continues to makes headlines in Arkansas as the state Supreme Court issues a stay of a temporary restraining order that was applied to new dicamba regulations.
In late May, the Pulaski County Circuit Court’s 16th Division issued the temporary restraining order that blocked the implementation of amendments to new dicamba regulations. The Arkansas State Plant Board had amended its Pesticide Classification rules in in early May.
As a result of the State Plant Board amendment, agricultural producers in Arkansas were permitted to use over-the-top dicamba spraying of Engenia, Xtendimax, and Taviumon soybreans and cotton through June 30. Producers were required to set up a one-mile buffer in all directions between dicamba-applied fields and research stations operated by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, as well as a half-mile buffer in all directions between dicamba-applied fields and fields where certified organic crops and commercially grown specialty crops are grown. Producers also are required to have a quarter-mile buffer in all directions between dicamba-applied fields and cotton/soybean fields that are not engineered to resist dicamba.
This temporary restraining order delayed implementation of the new dicamba rule, but the Arkansas Supreme Court’s stay, issued on Monday, June 7, will enable the emergency rule amendment to go into effect.
See Arkansas’ rules regarding pesticide use and the Arkansas Pesticide Use and Application Act.
READ MORE: Arkansas State Plant Board Sets New Dicamba Rules, Go Into Effect on May 8
