HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.166 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
1. Intro Time BY
a. Good Morning. My name is Victoria Andrade-McKeehan. Date .,�`'-1 C4
b. I am here from the Hamakua coast representing Ahualoa Hog farm, as well as
many of the Hog and sheep farms on this Island.
c. As a young adult who has grown up raising Market Animals, I am uniquely
qualified to talk on behalf of our future youth farmers and with this testimony I
would like to strongly urge the council NOT to pass Bill 79 as it has been
presented today.
2. This Bill creates an extremely volatile situation for our local Ag.
a. The first example is any farm currently looking to have self-sustained feeding
practices. Currently,the majority of livestock farms here are dependent on
mainland produced, GM corn based and alfalfa based feeds. I am aware of local
farms however,that are attempting be sustainable by growing their own animal
feeds.
b. If this is put into effect,no farm that wishes to be self-sufficient will be able to.
This bill forces our local farms to buy their feeds from the mainland. This cycle
will keep the cost of our locally grown pork, lamb, and beef higher than any
imported meats.
c. Every rancher knows the detrimental effects of heightened feed expenses. By
leaving us without any other options,we are putting the livelihoods of our local
livestock in the hands of large scale grain producers off Island.
3. Additionally,the vague language of the prohibition includes"Any person"who engages
in the propagation,cultivation,raising, or growing of transgenic organisms.
a. Does this mean that any person who happens to grow a tomato, potato,or beet
that has come from a GM seed should be quarantined and forced to pay for the
costs of investigation,removal, employee enforcement times, legal costs, and
monitoring compliance? I think that that is rather absurd. Furthermore,this Bill
literally opens up the county to lawsuits that are just not financially viable.
Comm. No. .21/ /4. 19
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Ref. Date JUL 2 Zt113
4. While I do not deny the positive aspects of organic farming, I want to be clear and fight
for my constitutional right.
a. The Hawaii State Constitution Article XI Section 3 states"The State shall
conserve and protect agricultural lands,promote diversified agriculture, increase
agricultural self-sufficiency and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable
lands."
b. If I were to decide to plant GM.crops on my 17 acres of farming suitable land it
would be within my right, as I would be promoting diversified agriculture as well
as increasing my self-sufficiency for my farm. Any Bill that stops me from being
able to do this on my own property is a limitation on my constitutional rights.
5. Lastly I would like to clarify a common misconception about this bill.
a. This bill has nothing to do with Monsanto. While Monsanto is often used as a
scapegoat for health problems, any use of their weed products is completely by
farmers choice. Monsanto corn is NOT being produced on our Island so every mal
effect used as an argument for this bill should not be considered in how you vote
today.
In conclusion, we need to look to our future. As a young person I look to science for my future. I
don't shy away in fear from these modifications, I look to them as part of the solution to our
dependence. Today I ask you to uphold my constitutional rights,help the self-sustainability of
our agriculture and look past the fears of the future. Don't let us fall behind,thrive for the future.