Letter to the Editor for Thursday — August 14, 2003

• Missed deadline was cause of fine

Missed deadline was cause of fine

For more than 30 years, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. has been a part of the Kaua‘i business community. Hawai‘i is home to nearly 200 Pioneer employees, and we all treasure the flora and fauna of this island. As good neighbors, we want to provide answers to your questions about the research we conduct in this state.

In April 2003, Pioneer failed to report preliminary test results to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency within a set time frame and, as a result, we were fined. Pioneer recognized the error, accepted responsibility and paid accordingly. But we want to be clear about why we were fined. It was not for disturbing the environment or violating regulations around isolation distances, nor was it because of test results. In fact, the test results proved Pioneer successfully contained the experimental plant material within the research nursery. Our fine resulted solely from a failure to report preliminary test results within a set time frame.

We are using this recent experience to further improve our administrative procedures in working with regulatory agencies. Unfortunately, our paperwork error gave people reason to question our integrity and the safety of our research. I can say with assurance that the environment and the food supply were never at risk. We take every precaution to contain regulated research materials for several reasons – mainly for proprietary business reasons and because it’s the law.

Hawai‘i provides ideal growing conditions for our crop research and production activities. And the seed industry makes a positive impact on the Hawaiian economy.

On behalf of all of our Hawai‘i-based Pioneer employees, let me say we celebrate our three decades of responsible membership in the Kaua‘i business community and look forward to continuing this important relationship well into the future.

Doug Tiffany, Ph.D

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.