EPA Should Revoke Monsanto Weed Killer Approval, Groups Tell US Court

Soy leaves that were damaged by the weed killer dicamba as part of University of Wisconsin research into whether the herbicide drifted away from where it was sprayed in Arlington, Wisconsin, on Aug. 2, 2018. Reuters/Tom Polansek

Environmental groups argued in federal appeals court on Aug. 29 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency failed to analyze the risks Bayer AG Monsanto’s dicamba-based weed killer posed to nearby crops before approving it in 2016.

The groups, which filed a lawsuit in February, want the court to force the EPA to vacate its approval of XtendiMax, arguing it not only harms nearby crops and plants but wildlife as well. It is not clear whether the court has the authority to revoke an EPA approval.