It’s Official: New Pesticide for GM Crops Approved for Market

In late September, Dr. Oz made TV waves, openly warning against the EPA’s pending approval of a new, toxic pesticide intended for use on genetically engineered crops like corn and soy – this country’s biggest crops and food ingredients. 

(One wishes this type of consumer concern was heavily stirred during the EPA’s open comment period in the spring. But would it have prevented approval? Probably not, if history proves right.)

The reasoning behind the initial pending approval was that because superweeds have become resistant to glyphosate (Roundup), this new concoction was perceived and promoted as the only solution to the regulatory agency. 

It is called Enlist Duo, by Dow AgroSciences and contains both glyphosate and the choline salt of 2,4-D (2,4-D was one of the ingredients in Agent Orange).

The EPA just announced today its official approval of Enlist Duo herbicide. What many people may not realize is that the herbicide was designed for new genetically engineered soybeans and corn that were just approved by the USDA last month.

According to Associated Press, the ag industry has anxiously awaited both approvals because of the superweed crises.

Note: The EPA has stated that Enlist Duo will not be sprayed from planes. It claims that this pesticide is not the same as Agent Orange because A.O. contained 2,4,5-T (with dioxin), kerosene and diesel fuel along with the 2,4-D. (source) This revelation, however, is not altogether comforting to the consumer considering what is known about 2,4-D.

As I’ve said before – the world’s biggest seed, biotech and chemical companies have a long history of working together. When one product becomes wears off, an alternating company has a new one at the ready. In recent years, we’ve seen how this leads to more and more chemical use, instead of less, like biotech and chemical makers promised.

Instead of being looked at as collusion, the regulatory agencies view it as the only solution to an agricultural “state of emergency.” Their past studies show even psychological effects from the use of pesticides but this has never caused any thoughtful pause in approval. The “sound science” the EPA constantly refers to is actually just the idea of past use and common use, therefore, it’s okay to them.

Greater pesticide use has serious long-term consequences.

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