Pesticide Use on Crops

Re “Farmers Using More Chemicals, Analysis Shows,” March 29: California has the most stringent laws in the nation governing pesticide use and application. Regulations are enforced at the local, state and federal levels.

Farmers in California are recognized worldwide as the leaders in integrated pest management. This is not a recent development. For more than 30 years, our growers have farmed using a variety of cultural and biological methods combined with the sensible use of pesticides to control pests and diseases.

Health experts and disease prevention organizations all agree that the nutritional benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables far outweigh any risk associated with pesticides. In fact, the National Academy of Sciences says pesticide use has improved crop yields and increased the quantity of fresh produce in the diets of Americans, thereby contributing to improvements in public health. The best step, they say, for consumers who are concerned about their health is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

DAVID L. MOORE, President

Western Growers Assn., Irvine

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I spent the last few years following health experts’ advice to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. This, I was told, would be beneficial toward extending my life. Now I’m told that following this advice might instead pose a risk to my health because of the high concentration of harmful pesticides that are sprayed on the produce.

If California farmers are going to continue to lace their fruit and vegetables with toxic chemicals, then they should be obligated, like the tobacco industry, to label their produce, “May be hazardous to your health.”

DEIRDRE HIGGINS

Los Angeles