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American Soybean Association disappointed in final ESA herbicide strategy

The president of the American Soybean Association says the EPA’s final Endangered Species Act Herbicide Strategy could have long-term impacts on the ag industry. 

Josh Gackle of North Dakota says there were some improvements from the original proposal. “We know that they understand some of the difficulties for farmers in meeting these requirements,” he says.  “But you know, at this point, we think they just really didn’t take a strong enough look at those concerns and don’t provide the needed flexibility.”

He tells Brownfield if implemented as is, the final strategy will make it more difficult for farmers to operate. “We feel like we identified several areas where they could have made built-in flexibility and built-in more opportunity for farmers to actually be able to comply with what they want and still be able to use most of these highly effective tools,” he says.  

ASA says the restrictions will not take effect immediately, and the association will observe how closely EPA adheres to its strategy in those proposed decisions.

AUDIO: Josh Gackle, president, American Soybean Association