HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0225.077 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura Cy1?ltt~l. 225.7.o~
From: Satya Anubhuti [satya@citizen-kane.net]
Sent: Monday, April 20, 20096:43 PM i~09 APR 21 P!Pl 8 ?_3
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us -
Subject: Subject: Support Resolution 81-09 opposing HB1226
Dear Council Members,
Subject: Support Resolution 81-09 opposing HB1226
Through my involvement with UH, Hilo, I discovered genetically engineered research began during
the early 1980's in Hawaii. It was said at that time: Hawaii is the fail proof place for this early
research. If anything got out of control and proved detrimental to mankind it would at least be
contained because of the remoteness of the Hawaiian Islands.
Today approximately 85% to 95% of the worlds farmlands grow crops based on The GE Model.
Farmers are required to buy seeds and chemicals from the biotech companies. This GE Model has
left many farmers broke, sick and with barren land. The GE Model has bankrupted the farm
economy of many 3rd world countries. Food protection and our farm lands are in grave danger.
Today also approximately 85% to 95% of US Supermarkets have some GE portions in them. For
many years the US consumers and many countries around the world have been asking for US
Labeling Regulations, which includes GE foods.
Recently Russia bands chickens from three U.S. plants which label "All Natural". Russia is the
largest importer of US chicken meat, with 1.1 million tons of poultry worth $600 mil exported to
the country last year (2008). Russia said the bans were in reaction to antibiotic, anti-parasite
substances in the meat and cases of salmonella. This is a great blow to US Farm Economy.
I sight this because The US does not have regulations to protect our food safety.
The point I want to make here is; The FDA has not formally approved a single GE crop as safe for
human consumption: See Independent Health Risk Studies at: http://www.hawaiiseed.org/gmo-
information/independent-health-risk-studies/
Remember HB1226 Prohibits state administrative regulatory actions and county regulatory actions
from banning or otherwise regulating activities related to genetically modified plant organisms.
The very essence of the bill eliminates the state's ability to regulate or respond in any way to foods
that are genetically modified.
If Hawaii took a proactive stance to regulate the planting, growing, testing, advertisement,
labeling, packaging, handling, transportation, distribution, use, notification of use, certification, or
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registration of any genetically modified plant organism. We would find ourselves in a position of
control to protect our food safety and our economy.
I would like to suggest that Creative Bill writing by the County Council would create revenue to
cover the cost of damage already done to Hawaii by biotech companies and GE research. Hawaii
could regain control of her farm economy, food safety and delicate ecosystem.
Monsanto, one of the biotech companies with special interest in GMO, has a current Market Cap of
$40 Billion dollars. A fine of $10,000,000 which is about 0.025% of Monsanto's Market
Capitalization would bring safety and revenue to Hawaii. It is important that we recognize in order
for any penalty to have any effect, it should have meaning.
Mayor Kim vetoed Bill 361 (use of GMO on Taro and Coffee), based on the fact that enforcement
would cost too much. The $1,000 fine in Bill HR 361 is a joke and Mayor Kim was right fear for this
financial burden. County Council could shift the burden of proof to the ones who make the most
profit, i.e., the Biotech Companies.
If you do not Support Resolution 81-09 opposing HB1226 and take responsibility for the food
safety and economy of Hawaii who will? Please do not let the Federal Governments take our power
of our self determination.
Mahalo Nui for your Support
Satya Anubhuti, Farmer, 5th District
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4/21/2009