Mention the word "pesticides" in mixed company and you’re likely to get mixed reactions.

What many do not realize is that pesticides are vitally necessary for our health, safety and well being, and that many of the fearful perceptions are actually misperceptions.

Consider what it would be like in Hawaii if we could not fumigate our homes for termites. Consider the first impression of visitors to our islands if they arrived at our beautiful resorts only to be greeted with landscaping overwhelmed by weeds or destroyed by insects. And what would it be like if we could not defend our crops and native plants from invasive species?

Whether we realize it or not, pesticides are used by all sectors of our community here in the islands.

A proposed legislative bill unfairly targets commercial agricultural use of pesticides. It is a side swipe by anti-agriculture groups hell-bent on forcing the demise of crop-improvement companies that have been farming in Hawaii for nearly 50 years. These well-financed groups are relentless in their intent to destroy Hawaii’s agricultural industry, and have no qualms using unproven or false claims to promote their agenda.

The Hawaii Crop Improvement Association is concerned that bills like these have adverse ramifications for the entire agricultural industry. Sound policy and laws must be based on good science and provide social, health or economic benefits — not be based on irrational fears or misperceptions promoted by groups with strong anti-agriculture biases.

While many are quick to judge and would prefer to demonize farmers and pesticide use, we believe it is our obligation to help people understand the facts surrounding pesticides. Our goal is to start a more informed, evidence-based and respectful dialogue.

Here are the facts:

» Pesticides are expensive. Farmers adopt integrated pest-management principles that rely on multiple methods to protect their crops, such as using natural predators to control destructive pests. They often turn to pesticides only as a last resort.

Even organic farms apply pesticides, though organic pesticides may not always be as precise as modern synthetic pesticides that are designed to target specific pests.

» When a decision to use pesticides has been made, modern spraying technology enables farmers to prevent unnecessary drift by pinpointing a specific pest on a specific crop in a specific geographical area. By avoiding drift, farmers use sound practices and ensure the pesticides go only where needed.

» It’s important to note that all pesticides that are used in Hawaii must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Pesticides are fully tested for effectiveness, as well as their effects on the environment and human health. Even though the ingredients in pesticides used by farmers are often the same as those that can be purchased in retail stores, farmers are held to a higher standard. They must comply with rigorous controls for pesticide use at all times or risk losing their certification, which would negatively impact their farming operations.

Many bills have been introduced this legislative session to provide incentives for small-scale farmers. Hawaii must continue to encourage and empower farmers so we can work toward a stronger agricultural sector in our islands. While we strive to reduce our reliance on imported food, we also must be attentive to the needs of the agricultural anchors — the commercial farmers — by ensuring congruent, consistent policies for all sectors of the agricultural community. If we can move in this direction, then we will achieve greater self-determination, return to our rich agricultural heritage and move forward together.