APHIS Factsheet

Biotechnology Regulatory Services July 2012

Questions and 

Answers: Dow 

AgroSciences 2,4 

-D-Tolerant Soybean 

(Event DAS-68416-4)

 APHIS received a petition from Dow 

AgroSciences (DAS) in August 2010, seeking a 

determination of nonregulated status for soybean 

DAS-68416-4 which provides tolerance to the 

herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) 

and glufosinate.

 APHIS is making available for public comment 

the Dow AgroSciences petition for nonregulated 

status, the Agency’s draft plant pest risk assessment, 

and draft environmental assessment for the proposed 

determination of nonregulated status. 

Q: What is Glufosinate?

A: Glufosinate is an herbicide that controls perennial 

grasses and weeds. It has been used by farmers in 

the United States since 1993.

Q: What is 2,4-D?

A: 2,4-D is approved for use as a pre-plant or postemergent herbicide to control broadleaf weeds on a 

variety of crop and non-crop sites.

Q. Is 2,4-D safe?

A. Yes, 2,4-D herbicide is approved by the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control 

broadleaf weeds on a variety of food/feed sites 

including field, fruit, and vegetable crops. It is also 

registered for use on turf, lawns, rights-of-way, 

aquatic sites, forestry applications, and is used as 

a plant growth regulator in citrus. Residents and 

professional applicators may use 2,4-D on home 

lawns.

Q. How long has 2,4-D been used in agriculture?

A. 2,4-D is the most widely used herbicide in the 

world and third most-used in the United States (after 

atrazine and glyphosate). The herbicide has been 

used by farmers in the United States for more than 

60 years. EPA has approved the use of 2,4-D to 

control weeds on a variety of food and feed sites, 

including field, fruit, and vegetable crops. 

Q: Is 2,4-D Agent Orange?

A: No. Agent Orange was the code name for an 

herbicide mixture of 2,4-D and a related herbicide 

2,4,5-T, used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam 

War as an herbicide and defoliant. After its use in the 

war, it was discovered that the synthesis of 2,4,5-T 

created a highly toxic dioxin contaminant. As a result, 

2,4,5-T use was phased out of most agricultural 

applications by 1970, and EPA ultimately cancelled 

all remaining uses in 1985. Dioxin levels in currently 

marketed formulations of 2,4-D, on the other 

hand, are either undetectable or well below levels 

considered safe by EPA.

Q. Has APHIS ever granted nonregulated status 

for soybean variety with tolerance to 2,4-D and 

glufosinate?

A. No. But, should APHIS ultimately grant 

nonregulated status to DAS-68416-4 soybean, it will 

be the first commercially available soybean variety 

with improved tolerance to 2,4-D and glufosinate.

Q: How is soybean DAS-68416-4 different from 

traditional soybeans?

A: This soybean tolerates the herbicides 2,4-D and 

glufosinate.

Q: Has soybean DAS-68416-4 been field tested in 

the U.S.?

A: Yes, it has been field tested in the major soybean 

growing regions of the United States. All field tests 

were conducted under permits, including strict 

movement controls, granted by USDA APHIS.

Q: What is the next step following the comment 

period?

A: After the comment period closes, APHIS will 

carefully consider all written comments received 

during the comment period and any other relevant 

information; any substantive issues identified by 

APHIS based on our review of the petition and 

our evaluation and analysis of comments will be 

considered as the Agency finalizes its environmental 

assessment and plant pest risk assessment and 

makes its regulatory determination in response to the 

petition for nonregulated status.
Q. How is EPA involved with this environmental 

review process?

A: The EPA has authority over the use of pesticidal 

substances and plant-incorporated protectants under 

the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide 

Act (FIFRA) as amended and the Federal Food, Drug, 

and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). EPA is currently reviewing 

the information submitted by the applicant to evaluate 

the potential human health and environmental risks 

associated with the proposed use of this product on 

herbicide tolerant soybeans. EPA will base its decision 

on the best available information, and will thoroughly 

and carefully consider the potential impacts to human 

health and the environment. EPA will ensure there are 

meaningful opportunities for public engagement during 

the evaluation process. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture