EPA Approves Dicamba Over-the-Top Use for 2 Years

The agency said their decision addresses concerns from farmers about not having access to the herbicide for controlling resistant weeds, especially Palmer amaranth.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The U.S. EPA has approved over-the-top (OTT) use of the herbicide dicamba for cotton and soybeans for the next 2 years, but with several new restrictions and safeguards to address concerns about drift and volatility that can damage sensitive plants and ecosystems.

Why it matters

Dicamba is a controversial herbicide that has faced issues with off-target movement and damage to neighboring crops and plants. The EPA's decision aims to balance the needs of farmers for effective weed control tools with the ecological risks associated with dicamba use.

The details

The new approval includes cutting the maximum annual application rate in half, doubling the required use of volatility reduction agents, mandating conservation practices to protect endangered species, and restricting applications during high temperatures when volatility risks increase. The EPA says these "extensive suite" of mitigation measures will allow dicamba use while addressing the primary pathways for environmental damage.

  • The EPA's approval is for a 2-year period.

The players

U.S. EPA

The United States Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for regulating pesticides and herbicides like dicamba.

Farmers

Agricultural producers who rely on dicamba to control resistant weeds like Palmer amaranth in their cotton and soybean crops.

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What they’re saying

“Without effective weed management during the growing season, these producers face devastating economic losses. This temporary approval reflects the voices of farmers who depend on this tool using informed restrictions and safety measures.”

— U.S. EPA

“The ecological risks associated with dicamba drift and volatility are real. If not carefully mitigated, off-target movement of dicamba can damage sensitive plants and impact neighboring farms and natural ecosystems. These concerns are exactly why the strongest safeguards ever are essential.”

— U.S. EPA

What’s next

The EPA will monitor the use of dicamba under the new restrictions and safety measures over the next 2 years to evaluate their effectiveness and determine if further changes are needed for future registrations.

The takeaway

The EPA's approval of continued dicamba use reflects the difficult balance between supporting farmers' needs and protecting the environment. The new restrictions aim to mitigate the risks, but ongoing vigilance will be required to ensure dicamba can be used safely and responsibly.