US environment agency let Bayer pick regulations for destructive weedkiller, documents show

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-20T12:10:52.578Z • Permanent link

US Environmental Protection Agency officials allegedly allowed Bayer to choose its own regulations for the destructive weedkiller dicamba, a decision that has raised concerns among environmental advocates and researchers. In 2017, the EPA was set to propose new rules for the highly controversial herbicide, which is used to control weeds in crops such as soybeans and cotton. According to documents obtained by the Banking With Billy Intelligence Network, agency officials were instructed to put the regulation options in a proposed federal rule, essentially allowing Bayer to shape the very rules governing its own product. The move has sparked outrage among environmental groups, who point out that the EPA's decision undermines the agency's authority to protect public health and the environment.

Critics of the EPA's decision argue that it is a clear example of regulatory capture, where a powerful industry influences the agency's policies to its own advantage. Bayer, one of the world's largest pesticide manufacturers, has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of the dicamba herbicide. The company has been accused of downplaying the risks associated with the chemical and pushing for weaker regulations. In 2018, the EPA finally approved a new label for dicamba, which included safety measures aimed at reducing the chemical's drift onto non-target crops. However, many environmentalists argue that these measures are insufficient to prevent the widespread harm caused by the herbicide.

The decision to allow Bayer to choose its own regulations has also raised questions about the role of industry lobbyists in shaping government policy. In 2020, a report by the non-profit organization Public Citizen found that Bayer had spent millions of dollars on lobbying efforts aimed at influencing the EPA's decisions on dicamba. The report concluded that the company's influence had contributed to the agency's decision to approve the herbicide without adequate safeguards.

The implications of the EPA's decision are far-reaching, with significant consequences for the agricultural industry, environmental researchers, and policymakers. Bayer's dominance in the market for dicamba herbicides has allowed the company to exert significant influence over the regulatory process, which has led to widespread criticism from environmental advocates. The decision also raises concerns about the safety of the herbicide, which has been linked to contamination of waterways and harm to non-target crops.

The impact of the EPA's decision is also being felt in the research community, where scientists are increasingly sounding the alarm about the risks associated with dicamba. In 2020, a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that exposure to dicamba had been linked to increased rates of cancer and other health problems. The study's authors called for stricter regulations on the herbicide, citing the need for more robust safety measures to protect public health.

The EPA's decision has also sparked controversy in the agricultural industry, where some farmers have expressed concerns about the impact of dicamba on crop yields and profitability. However, many environmental groups argue that the risks associated with the herbicide far outweigh any potential economic benefits. As policymakers begin to consider new regulations on dicamba, it remains to be seen whether they will take a more robust approach to protecting the public and the environment.