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Exempting apiaries from the definition of"livestock production" and regulating them under the Hawaii Right to <br /> Farm Act — a law that gives farmers protection from certain nuisance laws and other regulations — would give <br /> beekeepers significant freedom in where they could place their hives.' <br /> Under the bill, beekeepers would no longer have to follow the 1,000 foot limit and could instead follow less <br /> strict setbacks of 25 feet from any property line or 15 feet for apiaries behind a flyover barrier. <br /> This bill is a prime example of how relaxing overbroad regulations could assist Hawaii's entrepreneurs. Hawaii <br /> Island beekeepers already supply 30%to 35% of all queen bees on the mainland and 75% in Canada.' With <br /> many U.S. honeybee colonies in a precarious positions Hawaii's beekeepers could play a major role in helping <br /> feed the United States and the world. <br /> The measure also represents a major opportunity for the Council to boost a growing industry that could truly <br /> help diversify the island's economy. The increased biodiversity that more bees would bring could improve <br /> pollination to support Hawaii's local flora and fauna as well. <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to testify. <br /> Jonathan Helton <br /> Policy Researcher <br /> Grassroot Institute of Hawaii <br /> a Hawaii Revised Statutes,Chapter 165,accessed June 14,2024. <br /> a See footnote 1. <br /> s Seth Borenstein,"Nearly half of US honeybee colonies died last year.Struuling beekeepers stabilize population,' Associated Press, <br /> June 22,2023. <br /> 1050 Bishop St.#508 Honolulu,HI 96813 808-864-1776 info@grassrootinstitute.org <br /> 2 <br />