HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0728.022 2000-2002 H®1=aA Policy Statement on Genetic engineering in Agriicuiture
The Hawaii Organic Farmers Association believes that the life of the land and a sustainable
economy will both improve without the implementation of genetic engineering, provided that,
more research and education are put forth for organic, ecologically sustainable land care
practices. Therefore, we generally oppose the use of genetic engineering in agriculture. Our
specific directives on the use of genetically modified organisms are as follows:
1. Impose a moratorium on the release of genetically modified organisms (GMO) into the
environment until a regulatory regime has been adopted that includes extensive
evaluation of environmental consequences and secondary ecological effects, as well as
pre-market safety testing of genetically modified foods and ingredients.
2. Liability for any external costs to individuals and the environment caused by physical
spillover effects, such as genetic contamination from pollen drift, must be borne by the
manufacturers and distributors of genetically engineered products.
3. In conjunction with the establishment of an adequate regulatory regime such that the
release of some GMOs for use in non-organic agriculture is justified, the resulting
products, byproducts, and derivatives of genetic engineering must be explicitly labeled
as such at-every stage of manufacturing, production, and sale to provide adequate
information to growers and consumers. The costs of such labeling and verification must
completely be borne by the manufacturers of genetically engineered products.
4. U.S. certified organic products as overseen by the National Organic Program rules must
remain GMO-free and the products of genetic engineering should continue to be
excluded from organic production and handling systems.
er.~::~~v~~
~4rsAS.._.mx...~ {
~ 8y.~ -
~o~m.Id~m
~aie Na.
~
a