Like it or not, the mass media now have the power to determine which issues should be the subject of a public debate. It will be absolutely necessary to work with the mass media communication system and television in particular. Today's public has concerns about the safety of their food supply. We no longer have an agriculturally based society in the U.S. and today's society is demanding a different set of answers based on different paradigms. Pesticides are chemicals that help maintain plant health and growing conditions leading to successful harvests.
Pesticides prevent diseases, control pests and prevent catastrophic losses.
At present, they are necessary for the continued quantity and quality of our current food supply. This does not necessarily mean they must always be used, but agricultural research must continue to find acceptable alternatives. Food crops grown without protective pesticides may develop potentially harmful toxins from invasions by naturally occurring microorganisms. The abundant and varied food supply that Americans expect will not be possible, at least with current practices, without some form of pest and disease control chemicals. Specific recommendations for improving public perception of pesticides include the urgent need for improved dialogue, specifically in the science and education outreach areas.