Enlist Weed Control System

The Enlist Weed Control System is an agricultural system that includes seeds for genetically modified crops that are resistant to Enlist (a broadleaf herbicide with two active agents, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and glyphosate) and the Enlist herbicide; spraying the herbicide will kill weeds but not the resulting crop.[1][2] The system was developed by Dow AgroSciences, part of Dow Chemical Company.[1] In October 2014 the system was registered for restricted use in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin by the US Environmental Protection Agency.[3] In 2013, the system was approved by Canada for the same uses.[4]

The Enlist approach was developed to replace the "Roundup-Ready" system that was introduced in 1996 by Monsanto and which has become less useful with the rise of glyphosate-resistant weeds.[1]

Enlist Duo

Enlist Duo is an herbicide that contains the choline form of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and glyphosate plus an unknown number of unlisted ingredients. Dow added chemicals to the mixture in what it termed "Colex-D technology".[5]

2,4-D is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world.[6][7] 2,4-D is volatile and by EPA assessment is a hazardous air pollutant that is difficult to contain. According to Dow, the Colex-D formulation reduces drift and damage from evaporation.[8] As of 2013 glyphosate was the world's largest-selling herbicide, with sales driven by glyphosate-resistant genetically modified crops.[9]

Other countries assessing the system include Brazil, Argentina and various food importing countries.[10]

Enlist crops

As of April 2014 maize and soybeans resistant to 2,4-D and glyphosate had been approved in Canada,[10] and in September 2014 the USDA approved the same two crops.[11][12]

Criticism

2,4-D was one of the main ingredients of Agent Orange, a defoliant used during the Vietnam War that was blamed for many health problems.[13] According to a Reuters article the main health problems arose from TCDD contamination created in the synthesis of the other Agent Orange component, 2,4,5-T[14]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has moved to rescind its approval due to conflicting claims from the manufacturer about synergistic effects from mixing the two herbicides. Dow had told the EPA that the combination of the two herbicides didn't enhance their toxicity to plants, but an earlier patent application from Dow claimed that it did.[15]

References
  1. Carey Gilliam (March 10, 2014). "As Dow seeks growth, new Enlist crop/chemicals seen as key". Reuters. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  2. "USDA Releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Dow's Enlist". American Agriculturist. January 3, 2014. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  3. "Enlist Duo approved in six states, with restrictions". Delta Farm Press. October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  4. EPA (October 2014). "Registration of Enlist Duo". EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  5. "EPA to Consider Comments on Registration of Enlist Duo Herbicide". Farm Futures. May 1, 2014. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  6. von Stackelberg K. A Systematic Review of Carcinogenic Outcomes and Potential Mechanisms from Exposure to 2,4-D and MCPA in the Environment. J Toxicol. 2013;2013:371610. PMID 23533401 PMC 3600329
  7. Andrew Pollack for the New York Times. April 9, 2012 E.P.A. Denies an Environmental Group’s Request to Ban a Widely Used Weed Killer
  8. Josh Flint for Prairie Farmer. August 31, 2011 Dow AgroSciences Names Its Newest Herbicide Offering Enlist Duo Archived 2014-05-04 at the Wayback Machine
  9. China Research & Intelligence, June 5, 2013. Research Report on Global and China Glyphosate Industry, 2013-2017 Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Donna Fleury (April 2014). "Enlist weed control system in Canada. A new tool for managing hard to control and resistant weeds". AG Annex. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  11. Brandon Keim (25 September 2014). "New Generation of GM Crops Puts Agriculture in a 'Crisis Situation'". Wired. Condé Nast. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  12. ISAAA GM Approval Database GM Approval Database Genes List, Gene: aad1. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), n.d. accessed February 27, 2015
  13. "2,4-D General Fact Sheet". National Pesticide Information Center. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  14. "Dow's Controversial New GMO Corn Delayed Amid Protests". Reuters. 2013.
  15. Charles, Dan (November 25, 2015). "Busted: EPA discovers DOW weedkiller claim; wants it off the market". National Public Radio. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
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