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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> TESTIMONY <br /> Resolution 462-08 <br /> <br /> HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT <br /> <br /> CHAIRPERSON: Committee on Environmental Management <br /> RESOLUTION NO: 462-08 <br /> TITLE: Resolution Supporting S.B. 958, SD 1 HD 1 Banning Taro Research <br /> with Genetically Modified Organisms <br /> <br /> HEARING DATE & TIME: January 8, 2008 (Tuesday) at 2:00 P.M. <br /> HEARING LOCATION: County Council Room <br /> <br /> Committee Chairperson and members of the committee: <br /> My name is Don Gerbig, a retiree from the agricultural industry, a private citizen, and an advocate for <br /> sound science and the Hawaiian agricultural industry. <br /> <br /> I am testifying in opposition to this resolution. <br /> <br /> Banning any research on taro is like giving up on the growing of taro in Hawaii. The second <br /> paragraph of the resolution about there now being 85 varieties of taro from hundreds of varieties <br /> before, accentuates the need for research. Diseases and pests are the cause of this varietal <br /> reduction. <br /> <br /> Over the years taro diseases and pests have caused this reduction of many taro varieties. Yes, even <br /> pests breed and become stronger. Increasingly, these diseases and pests are becoming more <br /> difficult to control and taro crop losses are also increasing. <br /> <br /> This is true of other crops too. An example is the Solo Papaya variety all but killed by a virus. <br /> Genetic engineering saved this crop in Hawaii. <br /> <br /> There are very few organic or synthetic chemical pest control materials available to taro farmers for <br /> the control of plant diseases and pests, like snails. Development of new pest control materials for <br /> taro is non-existent. Therefore, plant breeding, including genetic engineering, is the only answer to <br /> controlling the many disease and pest problems farmers have with growing taro in Hawaii. <br /> <br /> Genetic engineering is one method of breeding for resistance to diseases and pests. The methods <br /> used are carefully controlled during the process and overseen by at least four government agencies, <br /> the USDA, the FDA, the EPA, and our own state Department of Agriculture, before being approved <br /> and/or released for commercial production. This is more government oversight than we get on the <br /> prescription drugs we might be taking. <br /> <br /> Any and all taro research is required to preserve the future of taro farming in Hawaii, and no part of <br /> any research program should be interfered with that offers potential benefits to Hawaii. To preserve <br /> the future of taro growing in Hawaii, I urge you all to not pass this resolution out of committee. <br /> <br /> Don Gerbig <br /> 6 Tulip PI., Lahaina, HI <br /> Telephone 808-669-6463 <br />