Brent Murphree A separate set of rules at this stage of a growing season creates a multitude of burdens for farmers and the industry at large, said George King, president of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas. An extended temporary restraining order creates problems for Arkansas farmers at critical time in crop management.
Suggested Event
Jun 15, 2021 to Jun 17, 2021
A temporary restraining order has essentially tied growers hands once again regarding use of dicamba in Arkansas at a critical time.
On May 24, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chip Welch extended a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Arkansas State Plant Board s 2021 emergency rule. The emergency rule made June 30 the last day for dicamba use on registered Arkansas crops. The extension of the restraining order was made at the request of plaintiffs who objected to the extended use period in the emergency rule.
Dicamba restraining order extended for 10 days
Dicamba restraining order extended for 10 days
A plaintiff in the case tells me that
Circuit Judge Chip Welch today extended for 10 days his temporary restraining order against a new
state Plant Board rule on the use of dicamba.
Some farmers and environmentalists are challenging how the new rule was adopted. It extended the previous May 25 cutoff for application of the herbicide through June 30. May 25 is Tuesday. The new rule also narrowed the required margins between sprayed crops and other land.
Advertisement
A similar suit is pending in Judge Tim Fox’s court and it is set for a hearing Tuesday. Welch’s restraining order, entered Friday afternoon, was extended to settle jurisdictional issues between his case and the one in Fox’s court. Also the Supreme Court has said industry-appointed Plant Board members that participated in the new rule were unconstitutionally appointed and must be removed
As our community leaders move forward with major financial decisions, let us all commit to using our brain instead of hitting the easy button as many across our country are doing more often.Â
To me the easy button is not taking the time to look at both sides of an argument, simplifying the argument or making purely emotional decisions on complicated issues. Both of our established political parties rely heavily on our lazy habit of reading the headlines and making emotional decisions, or decisions based on party lines. To me, true intellect is the desire to put yourself in someone elseâs shoes when making important decisions and doing your research. Â
Recent Arkansas Supreme Court rulings have stripped a Mountain Home exterminator of his seat on the state Plant Board.
The Plant Board, which was created in 1917 to address a plant disease that threatened the state’s apple industry, most recently operated with seven members appointed by the governor and nine other members appointed by the various agricultural trade groups whose industries are regulated by the board. Two members represent the University of Arkansas System’s Agriculture Division, but do not have voting privileges.
Mark Hopper of Hopper Termite and Pest Control was one of the nine trade-group representatives to lose their seats Thursday after the state Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to have the trade groups directly appointment representatives to the board. Hopper, which joined the Plant Board in July 2020, was the representative for the Arkansas Pest Management Association.
The Looking To Elections Edition
The Looking To Elections Edition
Advertisement
Subscribe Supporting the Arkansas Times independent journalism is more vital than ever. Help us deliver the latest daily reporting and analysis on news, politics, culture and food in Arkansas.
Times Founded in 1974, the Arkansas Times is a lively, opinionated source for news, politics and culture in Arkansas. Our monthly magazine is distributed for free to over 500 locations in Central Arkansas.