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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 010 11/06/2008 2006-2008REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: November 6, 2008 RE: Comm. No. 1559/Res. 809-08 PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa 78-128 Ehukai Street Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 8:30 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development, to which was referred Comm. No. 1559, reports as follows: Comm. No. 1559, transmitted by K. Angel Pilago, dated October 21, 2008, submits Resolution 809-08, which establishes the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Advisory Commission for the purpose of furthering research and discussion of genetic engineering to determine the appropriateness of the use of transgenic crops. The resolution also recommends that members of the GMO Advisory Commission include, but not be limited to, the USDA Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, the taro growers association, the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, independent coffee farmers, coffee processors and roasters, organic farmers, the livestock industry, the floral and ornamental industry, the food industry and two scientist/researchers, one who favors and one who opposes genetic modification. Most council members were in Kona for the meeting, however J. Yoshimoto and Chairwoman Emily Naeole were in Hilo, participating via videoconferencing. Donald Ikedajoined the council members in Hilo while the first testifier on the resolution was speaking. Councilman Stacy Higa and Councilman Dominic Yagong were absent. Cory Harden spoke in favor of the Resolution 809-08. She thanked Mayor Harry Kim for suggesting the commission and Councilman Pilago for introducing the resolution establishing the commission. She commended the recommendation that the commission be comprised of people both for and against GMOs. She hopes it will stop the misinformation circulating about GMOs. Diane Ley, representing Research and Development, offered supportive testimony for the intent of the GMO Advisory Commission. That department believes that a commission comprised of scientists and organizational stakeholders is a step in the right direction. The department encourages constructive criticism and discussion about the technology and related impacts. Ms. Ley asked that the commission members offer constructive compromises for the agricultural industry islandwide. This dialogue and information sharing will only benefit the community. Councilman Pilago made the motion to file Resolution 809-08 and to approve the resolution. Councilman Jacobson seconded the motion. Councilman Pilago explained that this resolution is a follow-up to Mayor Harry Kim's request in opening up the process to the public and have the discussions done in a legitimate and transparent way. The recommendation is a very important initiative that the mayor recommends and shows a partnership between the County Council and the Administration on an issue that is very important to the well-being of our whole island and toward the stabilization of our economy. He asked for all council members' support of the commission. Councilman Jacobson expressed support for the resolution and he is pleased Councilman Pilago came forward with it. He is just hoping it will produce the desired effects, because all the people who opposed the GMO ban bill--he talked with them and asked if they had any sympathy for the people who have been put out of business by GMO contamination ofcrops--did not express any sympathy for farmers with GMO contaminated crops. Councilman Ikeda said he supports the resolution, but he wonders if the commission is after-the- fact, because the Council already passed a GMO ban on coffee and taro. The mayor vetoed the ban, but Councilman Ikeda would like to know how the commission affects the ban, the subsequent veto, etc. Councilman Pilago said the GMO commission does not affect the GMO ban ordinance as it stands, and the issue of the veto is something that will be addressed later. Everyone agrees the commission issue could have come up earlier, and the discussion format and public debate could have occurred in a different way. Councilman Pilago said it's unfortunate the GMO ban veto/commission came about in this fashion, but everyone needs to understand that there was always the opportunity for this commission to be formed at an earlier time at an earlier period. Councilman Pilago said he supports the mayor's desire for a commission, although it comes up late for everyone. It should re-enforce the discussion for taro, coffee and papaya. Bringing the discussion up in the public format is important for all of us, Councilman Pilago said. He does not see a conflict between the commission and the GMO ban bill. Councilwoman Brenda Ford supports the resolution with reservations since there are two groups of people, one who wants GMO everything and a group led by the farming community who say they don't want the ban on two products only. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground on this, she noted. You have GMO coffee and taro, or you don't. The question Councilwoman Ford has is who will decide who sits on the commission. Councilwoman Ford had a piece of testimony, which all council members received, that she described as "extremely rude." The testimony mentions the commission as "a place to discuss and understand the pros and cons of agricultural biotechnology outside the rude and misinformed maelstrom of mainland funded activist community." Councilwoman Ford doesn't believe there is anyone on the Council who voted for the ban receiving any money on this issue. If so, she would like them to speak up because she didn't receive any such money. It is that kind of person who shouldn't serve on the commission because their mind is set in concrete, Councilwoman Ford said. They aren't willing to at least sit down and have a rational discussion about the concerns of the farming community. Councilwoman Ford is concerned about who selects the commission. Chairwoman Naeole said it would be the mayor who would appoint members to the commission. Councilwoman Ford expressed concern that it would be the mayor making the choice, when he has come out opposed to the issue. Councilman Pete Hoffmann said he understands Councilwoman Ford's reservations on the resolution. He thinks the resolution is in response to an initiative the mayor made in his message a month ago. He is pleased to think the Council is willing to follow up and try to do something, even if some of his colleagues think it is late and should have happened beforehand. He heard Ms. Ley say Research and Development supports the intent of the resolution, that it is a step in the right direction. He thinks that is true. Under any circumstances, this is an issue that needs to be addressed by the people of this island, Councilman Hoffmann said. While he has some reservations about the appointment of individuals to this particular commission, he feels it is important for the Council and the Mayor to make an effort to move forward on this issue that impacts the agricultural community. He wanted to point out to his colleagues that there are some issues that are not contained in the body of the resolution that could be addressed during commission hearings. One is the lack of labeling of GMO products. He also believes that it is necessary to discuss safeguards to GMO testing. He does not believe there should be an outright ban on GMO testing. He believes testing can be done with safeguards, although he doesn't know at this point what those safeguards will be. Councilman Hoffmann believes that in using this particular resolution, there is a need to discuss the rights of the county in protecting, safeguarding and establishing different regulations for agriculture within the county boundaries. This clearly is an issue that can be partially addressed by a commission. Councilman Hoffmann sees this resolution as being complementary with the efforts taken by the Council to ban GMO coffee and taro. He doesn't see them as contradictory. He doesn't think that one needs to wait for the effort. He supports Councilman Pilago's initiative in this case and will be voting in favor of the resolution. Councilwoman Ford said she agreed with all the comments thus far. Her concern is that there may be some conflict in the minds of the council members between the establishment of the commission and the GMO ban on coffee and taro. Her thinking is if there is that concern, she wants them to be aware that if they override the mayor's veto, that law can be changed. Some people may think that by starting this commission, it is safe to go ahead with GMO research on coffee and taro. She moved to postpone Communication 1559 and Resolution 809-08 until after there is a vote on overriding the mayor's veto on the ban of GMO taro and coffee. Councilman Jacobson seconded the postponement motion. Councilman Ikeda spoke against the postponement. He said by the discussion it is clear that most council members support the resolution and the establishment of the commission. Councilman Pilago also spoke against the postponement, noting the ordinance, the veto, and the commission are all separate issues. The resolution is simply asking the mayor to form a commission. It is the option of the mayor to organize these types of council, commissions and discussions. Councilman Hoffmann spoke against a postponement, as well. When the mayor made this suggestion in his letter--after the GMO ban ordinance passed--Councilman Hoffmann contacted Managing Director Dixie Kaestu with the idea of being concerned as to whether the mayor wished to proceed with the formulation of this resolution, or whether the Council should do it. The Mayor's Office got back to him a couple days later to indicate it would be perfectly fine if the Council wished to proceed. He sees them as two separate items. Clearly, the resolution calls for the new mayor, which means it would have to be after Dec. 1 anyway, to go ahead with this particular resolution. Again, it's a resolution. The Council will determine whether or not they are going to override the veto on Nov. 13. He doesn't see any reason to postpone. Councilman J Yoshimoto agrees with both Councilman Pilago and Councilman Hoffmann. He sees them as separate issues. He doesn't think there would be any confusion. The resolution is clear on its face, calling for an advisory commission to bring everyone to the table. He spoke against the postponement. On the vote for the postponement, Councilwoman Ford and Councilman Jacobson were the only supporters. There were five votes against it, and both Councilman Stacy Higa and Councilman Dominic Yagong were absent. After the postponement motion, council members were back to the main motion. With no comments, the vote was cast. Comm. 1559/Res. 809-08 advanced with six aye votes and one nay vote. The sole dissenter was Councilwoman Ford. Your Committee on Human Resources and Economical Development is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution 809-08 and recommends its adoption. tceh AYES NOES A&E EX FORD x HIGA x HOFFMANN x IKEDA x JACOBSON x NAEOLE x PILAGO x YAGONG x YOSHIMOTO x Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AN CONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EMILY N OLE, CHAIR HSEDC REPORT NO. 10 ADOPTED: NOV Z ~ 100