HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.281 2012-2014 Murashige, Laura
From: Susan Enanoria [jenanorial @hawaii.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 9:05 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Written testimony on County Council Bill 79
Attachments: County Council Bill 79.docx
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County Council Bill
79.docx(1...
PERSON TESTIFYING:
Jay N. Enanoria
783 Hoolaulea Street __ n
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 0
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May 26, 2013
Councilwoman Brenda Ford
Chairperson and Members
Committee on Public Safety& Mass Transit
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: County Council Bill 79, Relating to Prohibition of Genetically Modified
Organisms.
Dear Councilwoman Ford and Members:
My name is Jay Enanoria and I oppose the passage of County Council Bill 79,
amending Chapter 14 of the Hawai'i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended),
by adding a new article relating to prohibition of genetically modified organisms.
The proposed amendment is equally misleading and confusing. Section 1. (1) states
that "The United States government has failed to establish adequate protocols and
safeguards for the research, testing, and monitoring of genetically modified
transgenic crops, fish, trees, animals, and other organisms", yet in Section 1.(4) in
part indicates even if the United States has not adopted the United Nations Biosafety
Protocol, the County Council, by way of this ordinance, still wants to implement the
"Precautionary Principle" regarding the introduction of transgenic technologies into
our farms and environment.
Secondly, how is the County Council prepared to protect the public and private
property owners from becoming contaminated with transgenic organisms? Section
14 - Administrative enforcement. Who is the "director" that shall enforce this
article; are there Administrative Rules in place indicating who this person shall be
and from what county office this person represent?
Finally, Section 14 - Definitions. In part states "Physically contained" means
following USDA protocols and guidelines at the BSL-3-Ag Containment Level or
greater as outlined in USDA Department Manual No. 9610-001: "USDA Security
Policies and Procedures for Biosafety Level-3 Facilities." This type of containment is
within a laboratory environment with stringent controls. Although the intent is to
protect the health and public's safety the ordinance should explicitly include what
this USDA protocol and guidelines truly are.
May 26, 2013
Councilwoman Brenda Ford
PAGE 2
In the interest of public health and safety, I sincerely believe that although there
may be good intentions in introducing this ordinance; as currently written, it is
flawed, misleading and confusing to the general public that you serve.
For these reasons, I urge this committee to reject this legislation. Thank you for
allowing me to submit written testimony on County Council Bill 79.
Sincerely,
Jay N. Enanoria
783 Hoolaulea Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720