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Answers

Question

Why are GMO companies opposed to disclosing their annual pesticide use if they claim that they are the reason why pesticide use is decreasing?

Submitted by: Aria Juliet


Answer

Expert response from Craig Thomson

Former Manager, Biotech Permits & EPA Compliance, DuPont Pioneer

Wednesday, 16/04/2014 12:52

The State of Hawaii has already implemented a process to make available the type of information that you are asking about. The State of Hawaii passed a law requiring restricted-use pesticide (RUP) sales already reported to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to be posted on the Department of Agriculture website. I understand your concerns about safety but want to assure you that pesticide registration, labeling and use are heavily regulated by the federal and state governments. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluates the data on each pesticide and assesses any potential for adverse effects before determining if it will allow the use of the product, and, if so, at what application rates and any application conditions (like buffer zones).

 

You specifically asked about the bill 2491, so I wanted to provide a little additional perspective. This bill targets a few companies, which actually account for less than 13 percent of the RUP usage in the County of Kauai.

 

I work for a seed company with operations in Hawaii.  I work in stewardship and compliance, meaning my job is to make sure we’re following the science and government guidance to help ensure the safety of our products, our practices and our people. I have confidence in the regulatory process and our compliance with the requirements set by the federal and state governments.