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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Hawaii Adolph Helm, President-Elect <br /> Crop 19 Hua'ai Road, PO Box 339 <br /> Improvement Hoolehua, Hi 96729 <br /> <br /> Association Phone: (808) 567-9421 <br /> <br /> Res. 463-08, A Resolution Supporting HB 1577 hdl to Temporarily Prohibit the Growing of <br /> Genetically Modified Coffee for a Period of 5 Years, at the same time, Permit Research in an <br /> Environmentally Secure Facility <br /> <br /> Hawaii Island County Council <br /> January 24, 2008, 8:30 am <br /> Position: Oppose Resolution <br /> <br /> Chair Hoffman and Members of the Hawaii Island County Council: <br /> <br /> My name is Adolph Helm. I am a Molokai resident and Project Manger of Dow Agro-Science, an <br /> HCIA member company. The HCIA represents seed production and research facilities operating in <br /> Hawaii for nearly 40 years. We represent five member companies that farm an estimated 8,000 acres <br /> on four islands, valued at $97.6 million in operating budget (2006/2007 HASS). We are proud <br /> members of Hawaii's diversified agriculture and life sciences industries. <br /> <br /> Res. 464-08 and HB 1577hdl are constructed in a way that gives the impression that allowing <br /> genetically engineering research in an environmentally secured facility offers a compromise to a <br /> temporary prohibition on genetic engineering research for coffee. This is not the case. The research <br /> and development process is lengthy and costly, and must include field-testing to see how the crop <br /> grows in a natural environment. Bringing research through lab work, greenhouse, field-testing and <br /> commercialization can take as much as 15 years and millions of dollars. It requires a commercial end <br /> user to invest in the product. In order for lab research to be greenhouse and field-tested, both USDA <br /> Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Hawaii's State Department of Agriculture <br /> must approve permit applications for field testing. <br /> <br /> The interests of some coffee growers who do not support genetic engineering as a tool are already met. <br /> Please do not support legislation that sends a chilling message that Hawaii does not support research, <br /> science and technology. Mahalo and thank you for the opportunity to present testimony. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Growing The Future of Worldwide Agriculture in Hawaii <br /> www.hciaonline.com <br />