October 28, 2014
USDA takes steps to combat herbicide-resistant weeds
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is taking steps to deal with the rise of herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds in the country's agricultural systems.
"USDA, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), must continue to identify ways to encourage producers to adopt diverse tactics for weed management in addition to herbicide control", he said.
As part of such efforts, the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), under its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will offer financial aid for HR weed control practices that utilise integrated pest management plans and practices.
Later this year, NRCS will be soliciting proposals under the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program for innovative conservation systems that address herbicide resistant weeds.
In addition, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will actively promote use of best management practices (BMPs) in design protocols for regulated authorised releases of genetically-engineered (GE) crops and will also include recommendations for BMPs with the authorisation of field trials of HR crops.
Partnering with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), USDA is providing funds to develop educational materials for various stakeholders on managing HR weeds.
The USDA Office of Pest Management Policy has worked with EPA to address the issue of herbicide resistance through appropriate label language that will require registrants to begin a stewardship programme for herbicides.
Registrants are also obligated to develop training and education on proper herbicide use which includes diversifying weed management, investigate and report on non-performances, and implement a remediation plan for suspected HR weeds.
EPA also intends to impose the same stewardship plans for product registration on genetically-modified (GM) crops, with the goal of encouraging effective resistance management while maintaining flexibility for growers.
