Corteva Halts Production of Controversial Herbicide Enlist Duo: A Win for Environmental Advocates
In a significant victory for environmental groups and public health advocates, Corteva Agriscience has announced it will cease production of Enlist Duo, a herbicide widely criticized for its potentially harmful combination of glyphosate and a component of Agent Orange. The decision follows over a decade of legal challenges and mounting public pressure regarding the herbicide’s safety and environmental impact.
The “Toxic Cocktail” and its Troubled History
Enlist Duo combines 2,4-D choline with glyphosate. Both chemicals have faced scrutiny and litigation due to links to cancer and ecological damage. 2,4-D, a component of the Vietnam War-era defoliant Agent Orange, is considered a “possible” carcinogen by the World Health Organization and has been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, birth defects, and other health issues. Glyphosate, too, remains highly controversial.
Despite these concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) previously approved Enlist Duo for use on approximately 4.5 million acres of corn, soybeans, and genetically engineered cotton annually. This approval was challenged in court, with a previous invalidation in 2020, followed by a re-approval in 2022.
Legal Battles and Advocacy Efforts
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has been a leading plaintiff in the lawsuits against Enlist Duo, arguing that the EPA failed to adequately assess the herbicide’s risks to human health and the environment. Kristina Sinclair, a staff attorney with CFS, celebrated the decision, stating, “Our food system never should have been doused in this toxic cocktail, and now never will be again.”
Advocates argue the EPA’s repeated approvals demonstrate a flawed approach, prioritizing pesticide market access over rigorous safety evaluations. Nathan Donley, environmental health director with the Center for Biological Diversity, noted the agency tends to seek “tweaks” to address court findings rather than fundamentally re-evaluating its processes.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Weed Control?
While the discontinuation of Enlist Duo is a win for opponents of the herbicide, Corteva will continue to produce Enlist One, which contains only 2,4-D. The lawsuit challenging the approval of Enlist One remains ongoing. The company stated demand for Enlist Duo was less than 1% of total U.S. Enlist sales, framing the decision as part of a broader effort to streamline its product portfolio.
The move highlights a growing trend of scrutiny surrounding older herbicides and the increasing challenges of herbicide-resistant weeds. Farmers are facing a constant battle against “superweeds” that have evolved to withstand common herbicides, forcing them to rely on more potent and potentially harmful chemicals.
The Rise of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds and Potential Solutions
The EPA acknowledged that increased use of 2,4-D could promote cross-resistance to other herbicides, but failed to quantify the risk. This underscores the need for more comprehensive strategies to manage herbicide resistance, including:
- Crop Rotation: Alternating crops can disrupt weed life cycles and reduce reliance on herbicides.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Combining various control methods, such as biological control, mechanical weeding, and targeted herbicide applications.
- Development of Latest Herbicides: Researching and developing herbicides with novel modes of action to overcome resistance.
- Precision Agriculture: Utilizing technology to apply herbicides only where needed, minimizing overall chemical use.
FAQ
What is Enlist Duo? Enlist Duo was a herbicide combining 2,4-D choline and glyphosate.
Why is 2,4-D controversial? 2,4-D is a component of Agent Orange and is considered a “possible” carcinogen.
Will Enlist One as well be banned? A lawsuit challenging the approval of Enlist One is ongoing.
What does this mean for farmers? Farmers may need to explore alternative weed control strategies.
What is Corteva doing about this? Corteva is streamlining its portfolio and focusing on other products like Enlist One.
Did you know? The EPA first approved Enlist Duo in 2014, but the approval was initially invalidated by a federal court in 2020.
Pro Tip: Implementing integrated pest management strategies can significantly reduce herbicide reliance and promote sustainable agriculture.
Want to learn more about sustainable agriculture practices and the future of weed control? Explore our other articles on the topic.
