Tell EPA: Keep Dow's 2,4-D crops off the market

http://action.panna.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=15703&utm_source=alert&utm_medium=action&utm_content=corp&utm_campaign=GE-pipeline

Right now, EPA is reviewing Dow's "new use" application for 2,4-D to be used with the corporation's genetically engineered (GE) corn and soybeans. Before the public comment period closes on June 30, will you speak up to protect farmers and healthy communities?

The stakes are staggering. Scientists estimate that widespread planting of Dow’s 2,4-D corn could trigger a 25-fold increase in the pesticide's use, from an estimated 4.2 million lbs at present to over 100 million lbs by 2019.

USDA has signaled it will likely approve the seeds, but without EPA greenlighting the "new use" of 2,4-D to accompany these crops, they'll never go to market.
Sign on below to tell EPA 2,4-D crops are a bad idea! Then please pass this action along to friends and family — we need to raise the volume on this issue before the comment period ends.

Gina McCarthy, Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20460

RE: Docket # EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0195

Dear Administrator McCarthy,

We are writing to urge your agency to reject Dow's application for the "new use" of 2,4-D with its Enlist line of genetically engineered seeds. This antiquated, dangerous herbicide is prone to drift off target, damaging neighboring crops and threatening the health of nearby communities.

As you know, 2,4-D is a reproductive toxicant, suspected endocrine disruptor and possible carcinogen. Children are particularly susceptible to its effects. If EPA approves Dow’s new 2,4-D formula, use — and therefore exposures — will go up. Agricultural scientists warn that widespread planting of Enlist corn could trigger as much as a 25-fold increase in use of 2,4-D on corn, from an estimated 4.2 million lbs. at present to over 100 million lbs. by 2019.

Recognizing a potential public health disaster looming on the horizon, 70 physicians, nurses and other health professionals have already urged EPA to reject Dow’s application for new uses of 2,4-D on genetically engineered corn.

American farmers, too, are deeply concerned that Dow’s Enlist corn system will threaten their crops and therefore their livelihoods. Drift from 2,4-D is already responsible for more episodes of crop injury than any other herbicide, and its vastly increased use promises still more damage to crops like non-GE soybeans and cotton, vegetables and fruit.

While Dow says it has developed a new formulation less prone to drifting for miles, the older highly volatile formula is still widely available and its lower cost creates a powerful market incentive to continue its use. And we know from experience that regardless of best practices put forth, pesticide drift is difficult to contain.