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Murashige, Laura
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From: Poister, Paul <Paul.Poister@agrium.com>
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2015 6:36 PM 7015 AUG
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Please Oppose Bill 71
Dear Council Members:
On behalf of Crop Production Services (CPS) we are writing in opposition to Bill 71 that would prohibit the use of many approved
herbicide products from Hawai'i County parks, roadways and public spaces. CPS is an active member in the Western Plant Health
Association (WPHA) and strongly supports the thoughtful testimony.and in-depth background material they have previously provided
to Council.
With existing regulations, the proper use of agriculture chemicals and responsible herbicide application practices today's farms are
safe for consumers and the environment. Many farmers receive training and certification to insure they apply crop protection products
according to directions, under the safest circumstances, and only when required.
In addition, the crop protection industry works closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal and
state regulatory agencies to bring only the safest products to market. The process of gaining pre -market approval or "registering" a
new product is intentionally strict, and it takes up to a decade before a new product is available to growers.
When applied following the appropriate practices and procedures these products have tremendous benefits both on the farm and in the
county's public spaces identified in Bill 71. As underscored in the testimony submitted by WPHA, the unintended consequences of
the measure are many and include increased costs to the county, putting at risk county employees and drivers along county roads, and
jeopardizing the native plant life that is protected from encroaching noxious weeds.
CPS shares the sponsor's goal to safeguard public health and protect our vital natural resources. Unfortunately Bill 71 is the wrong
approach and would ultimately do more harm than good.
Thank you for consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Reginald (Reggie) Hasegawa
Location .Manager/Sales
Crop Production Services, Inc.
Central Valley Division — Hilo
900 Leilani St. Hilo, HI 96720
Paul Poister
Government Relations Manager
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