HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0225.006 2008-2010
April 8, 2009
RE: In Support of County Resolution #81-09
To The Hawaii County Council,
I urge you to support resolution #81-09. I strongly feel that the
County of Hawaii should have the right to determine its own future relating
to not just agriculture, and many other social decisions too. HB 1226 is an
aggressive attempt to undermine our self-determination. It would essentially
dictate that the people of Hawaii have no right to choose whether GE-based
agriculture be welcome in the Hawaii. I know people who are more and
more turning on to organic style agriculture and opposing conventional GE
practices. While there is potential for GE crops to help the common farmer/
citizen, corporations and organizations that push GE technology have
demonstrated that their profits take first priority above people (with the
exception of some organizations like UH) and continually seek to acquire
more and more of the pie, so to say.
I am an agriculture student and member of the student government at
UH Hilo. Farming is an option I am seriously considering on the Big Island.
However, the idea of growing mass distributed GE seeds is reason to find a
new career. I support sustainable agriculture methods that don't require
pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
I urge you to pass legislation that would encourage this type of farming
practices in Hawaii, which have been proven to produce safer and more
nutritious produce.
Mahalo nui loa,
Ryan Peters
Petersr (at) Hawaii.edu
1545A Kinoole St
Hilo, HI 96720
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