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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0728.057 2000-2002 TESTIMONY OF JAMES J. NAKATANI CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF AGRICULTURE STATE OF HAWAII BEFORE THE COUNTY COUNCIL, COUNTY OF HAWAII SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 RESOLUTION NO. 236-02 (DRAFT 2) SUPPORTING A MORATORIUM ON THE RELEASE AND PLANTING OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) COFFEE IN THE DISTRICTS OF NORTH AND SOUTH KONA IN ORDER TO ASSURE AND PROTECT THE BIOTIC INTEGRITY AND MARKET VALUE OF PURE KONA COFFEE Mr. Chairman and Members of the Council: ~y, ~,A~ y_TM~~ --~--------------j----._ ~unry Craun~i~ 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 pending releases of genetically modified coffee in Hawaii. The University of Hawaii has a USDA permit for GMO coffee field trials that expires in December 2004. 1t is very unlikely that this permit will ever be used as the researcher far the program is no longer with the University of Hawaii and the research program has been terminated. Plants covered by the permit were never released to field trials and were destroyed under state and federal supervision at the termination of the study. No coffee GMO permits are pending in USDA and the agency has received no recent queries for possible new permit applications. . . ~ile ~a~. 2 As you are aware, a protocol is in place that allows the State to approve or disapprove the movement and release of genetically engineered organisms. USDA has the expertise and resources to evaluate and respond to potential risks to humans and the environment, and the State, has the opportunity to address local concerns in the USDA approval process for the issuing of permits for studies in laboratory, greenhouse and field trials. Should the department receive a request for the field testing of a genetically engineered coffee plant, the department would bring this request to the attention of growers in Hawaii for comment. The department has no record of communication with Kona coffee growers on this issue, likewise, we are not aware of any contacts made with USDA. Hawaii County does not have any legal authority to impose a moratorium on the release of GMO coffee in North and South Kona Districts; therein, the resolution is not binding, but merely a statement of support for Kona growers in opposition to biotechnology. We agree with others who testified in the Hilo hearing that the resolution sends a very negative message regarding County support of biotechnology despite the success of biotechnology in saving Hawaii's papaya industry. The resolution does pit grower against grower and possibly island against island. 3 We agree with Council members who noted that the Council was not the right forum for a reasoned and thoughtful discussion of the issues surrounding biotechnology. The department of agriculture, University of ~iawaii and USDA welcome an opportunity to host discussions with Kona and other coffee growers in the state on biotechnology, methods and procedures, and regulatory requirements. In the absence of a plausible scenario for the release of a GMO coffee in North and South Kona in the foreseeable future or at possibly any time in the future that could impact niche markets for Kona coffee, we believe a meeting with Kona coffee growers is far preferable to this resolution which has no legal standing for the imposition of a moratorium. Thank you for this opportunity to comment on this County Resolution 236- 02. 09/24/02 GMOcoffeehearingSept252002/Pi/Adm .