The Arkansas State Plant Board today approved amended draft rules for dicamba use for the 2020 growing season.
While the cut-off date for dicamba usage was kept at May 25, the board made three changes to the usage rules. Previously, the board had recommended extending the usage period to May 31, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
These rules include reporting all applications of dicamba products to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s online registry within 10 days of application from April 16-May 25; maintaining a printed GPS map of the dicamba application from April 16-May 25; and making a restriction on dicamba use during burn-down permanent. Previously, the restriction was an emergency rule.
The amended rules will go before Gov. Asa Hutchinson for review and approval. If approved, there will be a public comment period, lasting 30 days, and a legislative review.
In 2018, there were 200 total alleged dicamba case files, according to the State Plant Board’s website. Of that total, 164 of the files were closed by staff with 135 of the files closed with no violations identified and 29 closed with violations identified.
As of July 31, 2019, there were 45 total pending violations, and 21 of the violations were associated with dicamba.
READ MORE: Dicamba: From State Plant Board to Legislators to Farmers