COM 0212.192 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PETITION IN SUPPORT OF APOST-HARVEST IRRADIATION TREATMENT FACILITY FOR THE BIG ISLAND WHEREAS, we the undersigned farmers and allied representatives of Hawaii's agricultural community support the continued development of diversified agriculture throughout Hawaii and recognize the importance and economic benefits to our community of Hawaii-grown agricultural exports; and WHEREAS, establishment of apost-harvest treatment facility on the Big Island represents an important infrastructure investment essential to the development of East Hawaii as a statewide processing, depot, and shipment hub for agricultural commodities for export, thereby generating growth and jobs in associated industries such as air freight, marketing, packaging, and applied research; and WHEREAS, careful and collaborative work among Hawaii farmers, the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, U.H. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and others has established [he viability of irradiation treatment of various tropical fruits and other farm commodities subject to quarantine restriction, thereby enabling export of key Hawaii-grown agricultural products to U.S. mainland markets; and WHEREAS, competent and reputable companies in the gamma processing industry have demonstrated interest and commitment in working with the County of Hawaii, local farmers, and our community to build and operate a safe post-harvest treatment facility on the Big Island; and WHEREAS, exhaustive research and findings by reputable organizations and governmental bodies including the American Medical Association, World Health Organization, U.S. Public Health Service, American Dietetic Association, Mayo Clinic, American Council on Science and Health, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Council for Agricultural Science and "Cechnology, American Meat Institute, National Live Stock and Meat Board, American Spice Trade Association, American Gastroenterological Foundation, National Science and Technology Council, and United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has established the safety of food irradiation subject to good manufacturing practices and has acknowledged the effectiveness of food irradiation to combat foodborne diseases like Salmonella, E. Coli, to kill other insects, fungi and bacteria, and to meet international and interstate quarantine requirements; and WHEREAS, the undersigned petitioners (1) support the renewal and re-dedication of Hawaii's agricultural farmlands, green space, and traditional rural lifestyle; (z) anticipate expanded investment in planting acreage and market development initiatives by Hawaii farmers who will utilize the proposed irradiator for export of their crops; and (3) stand committed to the steady growth of profitable family farming as an integral component of a preferred and sustainable future for the land and people of Hawaii; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the undersigned encourage wholehearted support by the Hawaii County Council for the establishment of a post-harvest irradiation treatment facility in East Hawaii and the appropriation and direction of such funds as the Council deems appropriate to facilitate the successful and expeditious implementation of this initiative on behalf of Hawaii's farmers and agricultural exports. Given by our hand [April, 1997]: - ~ t I . _ ' ~ t TiPo ulc ~ U S~i~GB~,riAsU GA~RM Rz !/CU~ o i< QO /~X .S~v ~ (Signature) (Name-Print) (Business&Address) z. Ul f~SF,</d HA~~idC r~ t2 M i IJ G r`~a 6~ ~ ok ~ S6 E (Signature) (Name~Print) (Business & Addres ) (Signature) (Name-Print) (6usmess&Ad /may