Monsanto is one step closer to getting regulatory approval for its next-generation trait technology used in its soybean and cotton varieties. This company news release says the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), concluding that Monsanto’s Roundup Ready® 2 Xtend™ soybeans and Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton should be fully deregulated.

“The final EIS moves us one step closer to the introduction of Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans, paving the way to provide access to dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton,” said Miriam Paris, Xtend System Launch Manager at Monsanto Company. “This is a significant milestone in providing farmers new tools to manage weeds and time more efficiently, which will help farmers have better harvests.”

Growers across the country are expressing excitement about these new weed management solutions. “This technology will be another tool in the farmer’s toolbox, enabling us to have another mode of action in the fight against resistant weeds,” said Wade Cowan, a farmer from Brownfield, Texas. “Weed resistance contributes to smaller yields, and this dicamba technology will help me better manage weeds.”

The decision comes as the USDA considered nearly 5,000 comments submitted by farmers, academic and scientific experts and other key stakeholders, with an overwhelming majority of those who provided feedback during the public comment period voicing support for the trait technology.