NCGA Tells ITC US Should Not Impose Duties on 2,4-D Herbicide
April 2, 2025
Corn growers and other farmers would suffer if the U.S. government granted a petition to place anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of an herbicide called 2,4-D, the president of the National Corn Growers Association told commissioners at the International Trade Commission Tuesday.
“First, 2,4-D is a growth regulator that targets broadleaf weeds—which is a type of weed that causes significant harm to corn and 2,4-D has a minimal effect on grasses,” Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. testified. “This makes 2,4-D useful for corn, which is a grass, because it will kill the weeds but not the corn plants.”
The testimony comes as ITC weighs whether the petitioner, Corteva Agriscience, was harmed by imports of the herbicide, a finding that would allow for the petition to advance.
Growers have said they cannot solely rely on Corteva Agriscience, the only domestic supplier of 2,4-D, to meet nearly all the market’s needs.
Farmers have also argued that 2,4-D has many benefits, including preserving soil health, which helps farmers achieve successful yields.
“The use of 2,4-D is more environmentally friendly and climate-smart than the alternative, which is tilling,” Hartman told commissioners. “No-till farming uses herbicides to kill weeds while minimizing soil disturbances. This is important because keeping soil intact reduces soil erosion.”
Hartman further noted that the duties come as farmers navigating tough economic times.
“Corn prices are down 40% since 2022 and costs of farming, including inputs like herbicides, are at all-time highs,” Hartman said. “New herbicide tools are slow to come to the market, so placing new duties on 2,4-D would set American farmers back even further.”
ITC will issue either a negative or affirmative determination of material injury in six weeks. If an affirmative determination is issued, the U.S. Department of Commerce would then determine and issue final duty rates..
Source: NCGA
