After users complained of skin irritation, including rashes, Monsanto is delaying until further notice the launch of NemaStrike — a new farm chemical used to kill worms on corn, soybeans and cotton. “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did extensive evaluations of the product before approving it for use, according to Monsanto, which has described NemaStrike as ‘blockbuster technology,’” reports Reuters. Monsanto argues that some of its field testers may have been using the spray incorrectly or not wearing the proper protection.
“The delayed launch … is another setback for the company, which is already battling to keep a new version of an herbicide [dicamba] on the market in the face of complaints that it damaged millions of acres of crops this summer,” says Reuters. Dicamba also received EPA approval before hitting the market.