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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0882.016 2006-2008Message Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: robyn@hiscitech.org Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:06 PM To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Cc: Igibson@hiscitech.org; 'Joy Gold' i7 ~ Subject: Testimony S6958 TaroRes462-08 ~ n Z Attachments: SB 958 HlCountyCouncil_TaroRes 462-08.doc z C" ~ ~ N „_ ~ ; r r~ Please see attached testimony. .it , 3 c' Thank you. ~y 7 !~ ~ ~' Z ~~ N s ~ Robyn Finkenkeller Hawaii Science & Technology Council 735 Bishop Street, Suite 401 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 808-536-4670 main 808-536-4680 fax robyn@hiscitech.org, www.hiscitech.org Comm. No. ~~ ~- . ~~. ~ Ref. To: Ref. Dote JAN 2 4 1/24/2008 Message Murashige, Laura From: Joy Gold (joy@joygoldunlimited.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:29 PM To: robyn@hiscitech.org; counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Cc: Igibson@h iscitech.org Subject: RE: Testimony SB958 TaroRes462-08 ~~'''`^'N~ 4(GZ-08 Page 1 of 1 E(..±~ i`~~U 2008 JAN 24 Aft 8 23 COUi~if'~ CLE~i~. fiAUMI' t'~F H,A1P1A11 Robyn, This is identifical to the HCIA testimony. If it has not yet gone in, I would suggest modifying it so that it is more reflective of HSTC. Policy makers do not like it when testimony is identical. If it's gone in, that's okay. Is there an HSTC testimony for the coffee reso? Thank you, Joy -----Original Message----- From: robyn@hiscitech.org [mailto:robyn@hiscitech.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:06 PM To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Cc: Igibson@hiscitech.org; 'Joy Gold' Subject: Testimony SB958 TaroRes462-08 Please see attached testimony. Thank you. Robyn Finkenkeller Hawaii Science & Technology Council 735 Bishop Street, Suite 401 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 808-536-4670 main 808-536-4680 fax roby~hiscitech.org www.hiscitech.org 1 /24/2008 ScTech HAWAII SCIENCE 8c TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL Res. 462-08, A Resolution Supporting SB 958hd1 to hnpose A 10-Year Moratorium on Developing, Testing, Propagating, Cultivating, Growing and Raising Genetically Modified Taro in the State of Hawaii, January 8, 2008 Environmental Management Hearing Hawaii Island County Council January 24, 2008, 8:30 am Position: Oppose Resolution Chair Hoffman, and Members of the Hawaii Island County Council: My name is Lisa Gibson and I am the President of the Hawaii Science & Technology Council, an industry association representing companies in Hawaii existing and emerging science and tech sectors -agricultural biotech, ocean sciences, aerospace, astronomy, energy, environment, life sciences and creative media. The HSTC is committed to growing these sectors so that we can create living wage jobs and diversify our economy. The HSTC does not support legislating a moratorium on tazo or any other agricultural crop grown in Hawaii. We stand firmly on the 1,000's of science-based and peer reviewed studie's and 3,400 scientists around the world that attest to the safety of agricultural biotechnology. (The Safety of Agricultural Biotechnology study listing is available upon request) Plant research using this technology is not only safe but has the advantage of being more efficient. It requires significantly less time to produce new cultivars and is more precise than traditional plant breeding. As a result, varieties can be developed which are more productive and better adapted to local needs. We affirm and respect the cultural meaning of Hawaiian taro and firmly believe that the Hawaiian community must lead the discussion of the future of Hawaiian tazo, and Hawaiian taro reseazch and education programs. We believe all farmers should be able to freely choose their preferred growing methods, which could include using the tools of modern biotechnology as one way of improving plant varieties. Passage of legislation like this one sends a strong policy message that Hawaii is not in support of science and technology. It undermines future investments and growth potential for not only the seed crop industry in Hawaii, but all science and tech related sectors. We respectfully ask the Hawaii Island County policy makers to question the motive behind Res. 462-08 and SB 958sd1, and question what is accomplished and for whom since it is our understanding that taro growers have an agreement with the UH-CTAHR that genetic engineering research will not go forward until further discussions with the taro growers. Mahalo and thank you for the opportunity to present testimony. Lisa Gibson President 735 Bishop Street, Suite 401 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 808-536-4670 Fax: 808-536-4680 ..,,.,.., ti;..,.:.o,.~, ,..,.