HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.041 2012-2014 •
Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III, DVM
Kahua Ranch
P.O. Box 837
Kamuela, HI 96743 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
Hawaii County Council diZCEIVED
'
Committee on Public Safety& Mass Transit Date Time q f �V--�--
Tuesday,May 14,2013 9:00 a.m.
RE: BILL 79 Relating to the Prohibition of Genetically Modified Organisms
Committee Chair Ford and Members of the Committee:
My name is Herbert M "Tim" Richards III DVM. I am a 3`d generation North Kohala rancher and the
immediate past President for the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council. Currently I am the President and General
Manager for Kahua Ranch Ltd.
(The Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc. (HCC) is the Statewide umbrella organization comprised of the five
county level Cattlemen's Associations. Our 130+ member ranchers represent over 60,000 head of beef
cows; more than 75% of all the beef cows in the State. Ranchers are the stewards of approximately 25% of
the State's total land mass.)
As a rancher and veterinarian I Strongly Opposes Bill 79 prohibiting Genetically Modified products from
being propagated, cultivated,raised or grown on the Island of Hawaii.
This Bill wants to restrict and regulate the use of GMO technology and associated propagation though it
would allow for the use of the products in our country derived from propagation elsewhere. There are many
examples of the value of GMO technology helping our society. Close to home is our papaya industry saved
by this. Almost as close are the over 100,000 diabetic patients in our state treated daily with insulin derived
from GMO technology. (In the early 1980's using GMO technology, DNA was inserted into E.coli bacteria
and a pure form of human derived insulin became available. This replaced the less pure animal derived
insulin. Today globally almost all insulin used is derived via this technology.)As we look to the future with
advancements in medical research, it is highly probable genetic therapy may become commonplace. It would
appear this Bill could also restrict that in our county.
There is no rational science based reason to limit the growing or consumption or use of GMO products. The
Growing and consumption of GMO crops is one of the most regulated industries in the United States,
regulated by the FDA,EPA and USDA, despite what this bill mistakenly asserts.
All types of farming&ranching should be recognized and supported;Natural,organic, conventional and
cutting edge(including GMO, or other science advanced forms). Market demand,not government regulation,
should direct and dictate both the type of agriculture and any label requirements. Choice should be left upt to
the individual.
Thank you for your time.
Aloha,
Herbert M"Tim"Richards III DVM
Comm. No. a 7
(808) 882-4646 Ref.To: C.
Ref. Date MAY