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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.179 1996-1998 TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF MAYOR'S RE~~'~'R z y p s' S 6 FOR AUTHORITY TO SPEND $2 MILLION TO BUILD AN IRRADIATION FACILITY IN EAST HAWAI'~CVti ~ Denise and Duncan Walker COUN I Y OF= HA'~NAII April 24, 1997 Denise Walker, my wife, and I are testifying today in sVOng support of Mayor Yamashiro's requested authority to spend S2 million to build an irradiation facility in east Hawaii; many of our friends who could oat be here today also strongly support the mayor's request. Denise and I own an environmental consulting firm and a macadamia nut faun in KurUstown. As small-business owners and farmers, we are keenly aware that our local economy needs stimulation, and that one of the fastest growing types of diversified agriculture is Vopical foot, which has grown five-fold since 1991. In the future, we look forward to diversifying our farm and growing Vopical fruit for export. There are also growers waiting to increase their tropical fnuit acreage, and there are mainland markets for additional Vopical fruit, but it must be Vented prior [o export. However, the ability to export tropical fruit to the mainland is contingent on treating it, hence the need to build an irradiation facility here. In addition to Venting fnuit from our island, it is likely that tropical fruit from other islands would be shipped here for Veatment prior [o export. L` we were mainland consumers, we would far prefer to eat irradiated tropical fruit from Ilawai'i than Vopical foot grown in Udrd-world countries where Were are little or no environmental conVOls; a case in point is the recent hepatitis epidemic on the mainland that was traced [o infected strawberries from Mexico. Like yourselves, we have been heard more than enough misinformation scare-tactics, hype, hysteria, superstition, and witchcraft from those who from the mainland who oppose construction of an irradiation facility in east Hawaii. The mainland opponents, Food & Water Inc., play on many people's anxiety from the mere mention of "radioactivity" and have mounted a campaign of harassment, half-lies, distortion, and misinformation [o support Weir conjecture that irradiated food is unsafe, but in 1991, an investigation by Date Line indicated that [heir claims were without scientific basis. The membership of Food & Water Inc. numbers some 4,000 people, but Wey are very active and vocal which magnifies their mm~bers. Presumably many of local opponents to irradiation are well- intenUoned but have apparently been misled by Food & Water Inc. The following are scientific facts about irradiation facilities: Fact 1: Irradiation is a safe, proven technology which has been in world-wide use for more than 30 years. There are more than 160 irradiation facilities in over 34 countries world-wide. Fact 2: In more than 30 years of use of irradiation facilities, Were have been a few major accidents, all of which were due to human error; redundant safeguards and safety procedures are in place to avert future accidents. None of the accidents endangered public hea1W or environmental safety. Fact 3: Irradiation involves [he use of ionizing gamma rays from cobal[~60, which is a similar to X-rays and radioactive cancer Vea[ment. Irradiation is already used to Vea[ most of the spices and sterilize half of We disposable medical and hygienic products we use. Fact 4: The only radioactive elements in an irradiation facility are We 40 small "pencils" of cobalt-60. The cobalt-60 does no[ activate or make iadioac[ive We Vented food, the irradiation chamber, or any other objects. Fact 5: Auer approxilrkately 20 years of use in an irradiation facility, the spent cobalt-60 is returned to its manufacturer in Canada. The radioactivity of the spent cobalt-60 is reduced within 100 years to levels where i[ can be safely h<~tndled, due to its short half-life. Fact 6: Radiolytic products formed in irradiated foods are identical or similar to compounds found in cooked, or otherwise processed, foods and even in unprocessed foods. Fact 7: Irradiation of food has been endorsed by numerous scientific organizations world-wide, including the American Medical Association, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, U.S. Public Health Service, World Hea1W Organization, and U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization. Irradiated food Ilan been proven nutritious and safe for human consumption. Fact 8: There is no alternative to irradiation for treatment of many Vpical fruit other than papayas. Hot-vapor and cold-storage Veatinents damage many tropical fruit varieties, rendering Wem unmarketable. Fact 9: Thirty-four shipments of irradiated Vopical fruit from Hawaii have been successfully test-marketed on the mainland during the past two years, demonstrating Wat Were is mainland market for irradiated tropical fruit from Hawaii. Frieda's, Inc., a California produce wholesaler, announced IIIa[ i[ would not accept irradiated tropical flail only aRer weeks of harassment from Food & Water Inc. ~AYJ III. J. • F1{e No. FN~ I C,~ Preser~~e~ IRRADfAC.DOC TOt 1Ret. Ih+te APR 2 4 1997 Duncan and Denise Walker Page 2 Teatinwny in Strong Support of Mayor Yamashiro's Reyuested Authority to Spend S2 Million to Build an Eradiation Facility in East Hawai i April 24, 1997 Fact 10: Kraft, Albertson's, Coca Cola, and Foster Farms are on record saying that Food & Water Inc. "has no authorization to represent Utem or titeir positions." Kraft "does not use irradiation but has thoroughly reviewed federal approval and has stated 'we have co~dence in the Food & Drug AdminisVaUon."' Albertson's said "it had not expressed any opposition to irradiation." There is apparently concern of the part of some council members regarding the need fora "market study" to confirm that Utere is a mainland market for irradiated Vopical fruit from Hawaii and/or a "cost-benefit analysis". As small business owners, we appreciate the need for fiscal conservatism and support your concern to "check first and spend later." However, Ule successfW test marketing of irradiated tropical fruit from Hawaii over the past two years eliminates [he need fora "market study," la addition, Isomedix, one of the operators of irradiation facilities is apparently willing to consWCt an irradiation facility here with 51.25 million of its own money, a willingness which certainly is based on studies and/or proof of the marketability on the mainland of tropical fruit from Hawaii. As we understand it, in the event Ulat the irradiation facility is constructed with private money, the S2 million that the mayor has requested will instead be used to market our Vopical fruit on the mainland. In conclusion, we would ask the ceuncil members and the local opponents-What is Plan B? There is no viable alternative to irradiation to treat Vopical fruit other than papayas for export. We an the Big Island are poised at a crossroads: approve Ule mayor's request and allow our blossoming tropical fruit industry ro continue to grow by exporting to the mainland, or deny his request and stifle Ute future growth of our Iceal economy. Two million dollars may seem like a lot of county money to spend, but I can Urink of no better way to spend it today. This investment in our future will be returned many times over to our local economy by stimulating its growth and reducing unemployment; over time, it will even be repaid to the county government in the form of increased tax receipts from increased employment and reduced welfare rolls. We strongly urge the council to approve the mayor's requested authority to spend S2 million to build an irradiation facility in east Hawaii. IRRADFAC.DDC