Biopesticides and Environment

While I was happy to see your editorial (June 26) endorsing the development of biotechnology in the fight against crop-destroying pests, I was shocked at your ignorance about the important role agricultural chemical companies are playing in encouraging the development of biopesticides. The California Agricultural Production Consultants Assn. is made up of the men and women who recommend the best methods to reduce the threat of pests to crops. This can mean recommending biotechnology, natural pesticides, cultural practices such as cultivation and crop rotation and crop protection chemicals.

Agricultural chemical companies have made a huge investment in these areas. Testing and development of a new pesticide take an average of 8-10 years and will cost a company $35 million to $50 million. The Environmental Protection Agency will review more than 120 separate tests for safety before registering a pesticide, and then the California Department of Food and Agriculture undertakes a second rigorous review before the product can be used in California.

Many of these companies are devoting a significant portion of their research budgets to finding and developing biologically-based crop protection products. They are also playing a leading role in developing better tools to diagnose and monitor pest activity, thus allowing pest control applications to be made only when necessary.

Contrary to what is indicated by your editorial, agricultural chemical companies support integrated pest management, which combines the use of non-chemical crop protection methods with the judicious use of agricultural chemicals.

TIM BUTLER

Chair, Pest Management Committee

California Agricultural Production

Consultants Assn., Petaluma