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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0728.032 2000-2002 TESTIMONY OF JAMES J. NAKATANI CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF AGRICULTURE STATE OF HAWAII BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON r ~r~7v HUMAN RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ~ay___~M~~..__ HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 RELATING TO A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A MORATORIUM ON THE RELEASE AND PLANTING OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) COFFEE IN TH.E DISTRICTS OF NORTH AND SOUTH KONA IN ORDER TO ASSURE AND PROTECT THE BIOTIC INTEGRITY AND MARKET VALUE OF PURE KONA COFFEE Madame Chairperson and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this resolution. The department does not support the passage of this resolution relating to the imposition of a moratorium on the release and planting of genetically modified coffee in North and South Kona. There are no active planting sites of genetically modified coffee on the island of Hawaii, nor in the State of Hawaii. Although several federal permits were issued to allow release of genetically modified coffee on the island of Oahu, none were ever planted in field sites. All plants were maintained in contained greenhouses until they were disposed of under federal and state supervision. The department does not support the imposition of the moratorium because there is no need for it and also because there is a lack of scientific basis. The purpose of developing genetically modified plants is to produce better crops with less use of ~omr~. file ~~a def. Tv~~. ` ~ R,ef. Date 2 pesticides, resistance to plant diseases (such as papaya), or use of land with less than desirable soils or water. The fact is there is greater awareness about environmental degradation now, then in the past, and this has raised the standards for environmental and agricultural protection on all genetically engineered plants. The department supports research on coffee to develop varieties that are resistant to diseases and pests that threaten commercial coffee production worldwide. Hawaii should not exclude biotechnology that offers some of the best opportunities for variety development at this time. However, the department is sensitive to the expressed concerns regarding treat to organic certification and will work with the industry to minimize undue risk to organic certification should a GMO coffee be developed and be proposed for release in Hawaii.