A Kauai County Council committee clashed with representatives of seed companies over the disclosure of the types and use of pesticides.

The Economic Development, Sustainability, Agriculture & Intergovernmental Relations Committee heard testimony on Bill 2491, which would regulate pesticide use and genetically modified crops by agribusinesses.

"I don’t want to comply with the bill as is," said Steve Lupkes of BASF Corp.

Councilman Gary Hooser, an author of the bill, questioned the lack of direct answers by company representatives on his standing inquiry about the type of pesticides they use.

"How do you have a community discussion without the facts?" he asked. "I need to know. The community needs to know what is going on."

The committee deferred a vote on the bill until Sept. 27 for further review.