Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> JAN-23-2008 12:37 HARC 808,1865020 102.1007 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> HARC Hawaii Agriculture Researwcea <br /> <br /> V 99-193 Aiea Heights Drive, Suite 300 1 40 <br /> Aiea, Hawaii 967,511 JON 23 P~ <br /> / Ph: 808-487-5561/Fax: 808-486-5020.. <br /> ant 1 c. <br /> r, OUNT` u;;nt~f4 <br /> TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> RES. 462-08 <br /> A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING S.B. 958 S.D.I. H.D.1 TO IMPOSE A TEN-YEAJZ <br /> MORATORIUM ON DEVELOPING, TESTING, PROPAGATING, CULTIVATIhi a, <br /> GROWING, AND RAISING OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED TARO IN TH.E <br /> STATE OF HAWAII <br /> January 24, 2008 <br /> <br /> Dear Council Members: <br /> My name is Stephanie Whalen. I am President and Research Director of the Hawaii Agriculture <br /> Research Center (HARC). I am testifying today on behalf of the center, our research and suI pc rt <br /> staff, and our members and clients. <br /> <br /> HARC strongly opposes Resolution 462-08, supporting S.B. 958 S.D.1 H.D.1 which prapos <br /> a 10-year moratorium on genetically modified taro in the state as UNNECESSARY. Tlic <br /> research community has already agreed to limit research in this area with respell <br /> Hawaiian taro, but most significant is that the process to commercialize an engines-rc,cl <br /> plant requires grower commitment and involvement and most importantly legisl: tier <br /> financial support. <br /> <br /> Please recall the commercialization of Hawaii's transgenic papaya. This was only accompli, her: <br /> because the industry went to the state legislature seeking financial support for the tratl,tit1 <br /> of this technology. Funds were needed to acquire a license to use the technology. Today, n<u <br /> only are significant funds needed for this purpose but also to navigate the more ane oils <br /> regulatory process that has evolved for this technology. <br /> All crops in Hawaii are considered specialty (minor) crops. The private sector has no ecoresl c <br /> incentive to commercialize transgenic specialty crops as their volume sales do not warratn if e <br /> investment. Commercialization of specialty transgenic crops in Hawaii will not occur without <br /> financing by the public sector agencies. <br /> <br /> Very few research projects ever make it into the commercial marketplace. This is a Weil <br /> known fact. Technology transfer, no matter what the product, is extremely expensi:vc in i <br /> risky. <br /> <br /> <br /> RES 462-08-January 24, 2008 Pa ,e <br /> Hawaii Agriculture Research Center <br />