Legislative committee defers dicamba decision to Friday
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Executive subcommittee votes to defer decision until Friday
- Committee to decide on proposed emergency rule banning sale and use of dicamba in Arkansas
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LITTLE ROCK – The executive subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council on Wednesday deferred a decision on the proposed ban on the sale and use of dicamba until Friday.
The panel is the next-to-last step in the emergency rule making process in Arkansas. At issue is a two-part rule put forward by the Arkansas State Plant Board that would ban sale and use of dicamba in Arkansas and implement a matrix that would increase penalties for infractions up to $25,000. The proposed ban would not apply to forage and pasture operations.
On Wednesday, the Arkansas State Plant Board told the subcommittee it had received 551 complaints related to dicamba use. (See: http://www.aad.arkansas.gov/arkansas-dicamba-information-updates)
Last Friday, Gov. Hutchinson reviewed and sent the proposed emergency rule to the subcommittee. If the subcommittee approves, the rules goes into effect for 120 days upon being filed with the Arkansas secretary of state’s office.
The subcommittee on Wednesday unanimously approved Speaker Jeremy Gillam’s motion to recess until members of the Joint Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee could meet Friday at 9 a.m. to hear testimony on both sides, and then make a recommendation to the executive subcommittee, which meets at 1 p.m.
Until a decision is made, current regulations stand.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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