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Home My WebLink AboutRES 220 Draft 02 2008-2010COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. 220 ®~ (DRAFT 2) A RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE LABELING OF ALL FOOD PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE BEEN GENETICALLY ENGINEERED OR CONTAIN INGREDIENTS THAT HAVE BEEN GENETICALLY ENGINEERED. WHEREAS, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service, 92 percent of soybean acreage and 63 percent of corn acreage were genetically engineered in 2008; and WHEREAS, according to the Center for Food Safety, an estimated 70-75 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves contain genetically engineered ingredients; and WHEREAS, scientific studies over the past decade have revealed that genetically engineered foods can be harmful to humans, domesticated animals, wildlife, and the environment; and WHEREAS, despite the risks, the United States government continues to allow American citizens to unknowingly consume genetically engineered foods; and WHEREAS, Consumer International was founded in 1960, and with over 220 member organizations in 115 countries, it is the world federation of consumer groups that serves as the only independent and authoritative global voice for consumers; and WHEREAS, according to Consumer International, there are more than 40 countries that already have mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, accounting for roughly one- third of the world's population, which includes Australia, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, and the European Union (consists of 27 member states); and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 25, which was unanimously approved in 2005 by Alaska's House and Senate and signed into law by Governor Frank Murkowski as Chapter 26 SLA O5, requires all genetically engineered fish and shell fish to be conspicuously labeled, whether packaged orunpackaged;and WHEREAS, Chapter 26 SLA OS is the first labeling law in the United States for genetically engineered foods; and WHEREAS, by adopting this resolution, the Hawaii County Council expressly does not waive its home-rule authority in the future to enact, for Hawaii County, GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) labeling requirements similar to those contained in Chapter 26 SLA O5; and WHEREAS, in 2002, Oregon added Measure 27 to the state's ballot that would have required labeling of genetically engineered foods, but the measure was defeated; however, it should be noted that a coalition of corporate giants spent $5.5 million to campaign against the measure; and WHEREAS, the following are the eight basic consumer rights, which were adopted by the United Nations' General Assembly in 1985: 1. The right to safety: To be protected against products, production processes, and services which are hazardous to health and/or life. 2. The right to be informed: To be given facts needed to make an informed choice, and to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labeling. 3. The right to choose: To be able to select from a range of products and services that are offered at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality. 4. The right to be heard: To have consumer interests represented in the making and execution of government policy and in the development of products and services. 5. The right to satisfaction of basic needs: To have access to basic essential goods and services, adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, and sanitation. 6. The right to redress: To receive a fair settlement of just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods, or unsatisfactory services. 7. The right to consumer education: To acquire knowledge and skills needed to make informed, confident choices about goods and services while being aware of basic consumer rights and responsibilities and how to act on them. 8. The right to a healthy environment: To live and work in an environment which is non-threatening to the well-being of present and future generations; and WHEREAS, there is an ethical and moral obligation to provide accurate and non- misleading information in order for consumers to make an informed choice on whether or not to purchase and consume genetically engineered foods; and WHEREAS, a poll released by ABC News found that 92 percent of the American public wants the Federal government to require mandatory labeling on genetically engineered foods; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it urges Congress to pass legislation requiring the labeling of all food products in the United States that have been genetically engineered or contain ingredients that have been genetically engineered. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, the Honorable U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, the Honorable U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, the Honorable U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie, the Honorable U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono, the Honorable U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich, the Honorable Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, the Honorable Senate Vice President Russell S. Kokubun,the Honorable House Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say, the Honorable Senator Josh Green, the Honorable Senator Dwight Y. Takamine, the Honorable Senator Mike Gabbard, the Honorable Representative Jerry L. Chang, the Honorable Representative Denny Coffman, the Honorable Representative Cindy Evans, the Honorable Representative Faye Hanohano, the Honorable Representative Robert N. Herkes, the Honorable Representative Mark Nakashima, the Honorable Representative Clift Tsuji, the Honorable Mayor William P. Kenoi, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties Executive Committee. Dated at , Hawaii, this day of , 2009. COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawaii on ATTEST: ROLL CALL AYES NOES ABS EX ENRIQUES FORD GREENWELL HOFFMANN IKEDA NAEOLE ONISHI YAGONG YOSHIMOTO Reference: C-472.5/EMC COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 2'~0 ® 9 (DRP.F'i' 2 )