HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.393 1996-1998
MAY 19 ' 97 17 ~ 50 NELHR KONR P . 1
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May 19, 1997
Honorable ramts Y. Arakaki Couracit chair ' 9 7 Y 20 R(q 7 it 5
Hawaii Couray Council CcuP., ~ .
25 Aupwti Street COUNI'p' 0,= HAWgII
Hilo, HI 96720
FAX : 969-3291
SCJI9JECT: SIlPPt]RT I+OA pOST'HARVES[' IRRADIATION
Honorable James Arakaki;
My name is James Frazier at~d I speak as a private atizen with a lengthy background in
the agribusiness wmmttaity in the State of Hawaii. I am in favor of the County Council
supporting the coustntcrion and operation of irradiation for the post harvest treatment of
agricuhural products in this County.
My background is agribusinti ss includes serving as Chairman of the Hawaii Fruit Fly
Committee for a two year puiod begituuag in 1990. Tht charge of the Fruit Fly
Committee was to develop a (protocol for the irradiation of the medtly from the Island of
Kauai. The committee reprep~
anted the State's interest is cooperation with the USDA
divisions of Agriculture Atsgarch Servict and Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS)-
The planting of coffee on Kauai created a atajar host for the t»edfly and the population of
this pest exploded. Testing of itradicatioa with the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)
system indicated to researchers that the SIT program alone would not reduce the
population, It was at that tittle that the Hawaii Fruit Fly Committee determined that a
parallel faa,s t0 irradication'should be on post harvest treatment. Imdiation of many
food products was an acceptable method of treatment and was receiving very Positive
response is fresh littit such as strawbeities, Tbtreforo, 'wrth the oombtned efforts of
individual cotruttodity grou{~s and the Hawaii Stale Department otAgricvhure, tests were
conducted to evaluate the ef~'ectiveness of irradiation on tropical fruits and oa consumer
response to these treated prpdttccts. Tht fruit responded very well to the treatment which
meant that the target pests Were eliminated and the fivit }tad good shelf appearance for
the consuming public.
71te tests wart in oonjunctio~t with a t#tajor fresh fruit distributor M Chicago. The
tresttnettt facility is an the a~utskirts otChiago in an area that is der?sclY populated with
more people than the entire State of Hawaii. This facility has bees viewed as being very
positive for the consuming yublic and' is not viewed as bring negative on the health and
welfare of those around it.
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l~resentp,~ I
Ftcf. io:~_
'tan'. i~ta_._MAY 2 0 1997
° NRY 19 '97 17 51 NELHR KONR P.2 «
There are four species of fruit flies in the State of Flawaii; the rnedfly is one. Post
harvest treatment by irradiation will cgnt[ol all species plus other tropical insects which
may affetx the regulating cools oa e~rporting.
The world renown efforts oflthc Unive~raity of Aawaii School of Tropical Agricultural has
provided us with many choices on tropical crops.l.and, water, and agricultural expertise
are availabie in abundance. T to thei regulations in controlling nuisance pests, the
limitation sow bewmes the export restrictions on our commodities. The support from
our elected officials is a very positive approach in solving this limitation and is to be
commended.
The economic advantages o1Ja strong agriwltural community is not limited to the farm
gate price of that eomuwdity,. Them are the same advantages of trickle down economics
with agriculture as there are with the visitor yr any other healthy industry in an economy.
Your endorsement of the irradiation program is one of building more thaw just the
agriculture industry but that of building greater strength in our whole economy. You are
doing this without jeopardizing the environment or the quality of life of any of its citizens
as has been proven in areas where irradiation projects are in place. Your research has
shown that very capable experts have verified that thae is no negative impact on those
people in and wound these facilities.
Please accept this testimony from a citizeu who has applied many years of personal
commitment and effort in building an agricultural community in this County and in this
Stale. 1 ask that the Hawaii County Council as in favor of Bi1162.
Mahalo for allowing me to express my opinion and experience which supports irradiation
as an important practice in post harvest treatment of tropical produce.
Respectfully Submitted,
C.
ames A. Frain