COM 0212.428 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ ~.y.t. May 19, 1997 ¦ ~ The Science Source for Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Issues Chairman James Arakaki Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street C t~v1,~1'L l Hilo, Hawaii 96720 , - ~2 ~ ~ ~ Mr. Chairman and Members of the Council ~ I'V) I am Sue Sullivan, Manager of the Carst Sced Company Research and Development Slalion in Kunia, Hawaii (Oahu). I am here today in my capacity as the 1997 President of CAST, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. CAST is a nonprofit organization, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Its membership includes 34 scientific societies, 5 associate societies, and more than 140 nonprofit associations, 111 corporate members, and over 2000 individual members. The collective memberships of the professional societies belonging to CAST exceeds 10(1,000. CAST's mission is to identify food and fiber, environmental, and other agricultural issues and to interpret related scientific research information for legislators, regulators, and the media for use in public policy decision making. Its strength as an interpreter of scienli[c information about such issues has been based on its ability to draw upon the expertise oC respected scholars in a wide range oCscienlific disciplines. An excerpt of the 1996 annual report is allached which describes smue of the publications, conferences and activities of CAST during the past year. CAST has swell-earned reputation as an unbiased source of scientific information. The research findings of our volunteer authors are increasingly requested by congressional members. In addition to task force reports and issue papers written by expert scientists, testimony and/or congressional briefings has been given on several topics in Washington. CAST's task force report Foodborne Pathogens: Riskc and Consequences is cited as the background for a presidential initiative on that topic. State legislative and agricultural departments also request and utilize CAST reports and expert opinions. CAST has addressed the topic of food radiation several limes in the past 10 years: CAST. 1986. /onizing Energy in Food Processing and Pest Control: I. Wholesomeness ojFood Treated with Ionizing Energy. Rpt. 109, Ames, IA. 50 pp. CAST. 1989: Ionizing Cnergy in Foad Processing and Pesr Control: I/. Applications. Rpl. 115. Ames, IA. 98 pp. CAST. 1996. Radiatlon Pasteurization ojFood. Issue Paper 7, Ames, IA. ]0 pp. The latter paper has previously been provided to you, and is allached to this testimony. Written by recognized experts in the field, and pcer reviewed by scientists, the paper summarizes the soundness and safety of food radiation technology for a variety of products from food to medical supplies to baby bottle nipples, disposable nurser bottles, and pacifiers. The paper further discusses current conmrercial radiation plants in the U.S. and their excellent safety record, as well the consumer acceptance and preference of irradiated products. I submit this paper to you for your consideration as you endeavor to reach your decision. Thank you for your lime and the opportunity to speak to you. ~ Z~1 ~ ~Z~ Sue L. Sullivan, Ph.D. Y11~ ~ N ~ \ Q 1 94-880 Kunia Road, P.O. Box 8 , Kunia, H19G759 1~ ~1 C, tr.r ~_MAY 2 01997 Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, 4420 West Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014-3347 (515) 292-2125, Fax: (515) 292-4512, Internet: cast@netins.net