HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.282 2012-2014 Council Testimony f•
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From: phoebeeng @gmail.com on behalf of Phoebe Eng <PhoebeEng2009 @gma&com o
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 2:19 PM 1"-•
To: bford; counciltestimony; dkanuha; donishi; gilagan; goodvibes1378;jyoshipto; ke`c4
mwille; vpoindexter; zkern +c-�
Subject: Strong Support for Bill 79 re: GMO's zr--
hi —
Aloha Hawai'i County Councilmembers,
I am in strong support of Bill 79 to ban the planting of any new genetically engineered
food crops on the island of Hawaii.
I live in west Kauai, which is a "ground zero" for seed testing and seed development by
GMO companies. We are seeing many, many consequences of GMO activity over the
last several years.
In west Kaua'i, GMO companies use some of the most controversial restricted use
pesticides such as 2,4-D, chlorpyrifos and atrazine. A recent lawsuit by residents here
described the spraying by one GE company alone, at 7 out of 10 days year round, for the
past 3 years. We have four GE companies in west Kaua'i, each doing similar large scale
spraying of pesticides that drift through dust and air into our homes and schools.
The toxic load we bear is immense. I do not wish this for the good people, children
and families of your island of Hawaii.
Many of us live within a few hundred yards of these test fields. Our communities are
experiencing many environmental and health problems, as well as the detrimental effects
on our soil, air and water.
These chemicals are used in greater volume on GE test fields than used in traditional
agriculture. The experimental fields here have little oversight and no disclosure
requirements making pesticide information readily accessible to the community, county
council, mayor or Governor. Spraying occurs without any mandatory notice.
Please protect the people of your island and prevent an approach to land use that
promotes chemical dependency and unsustainable practices that degrade the land, water,
and air, and impact the health and safety of Hawaii's residents.
I am very proud that your county has led the way in banning GMO coffee and taro.
We look to the council and your many successful farmers in making a precautionary
decision to not introduce these food crops, and the pesticide and land use practices that
they imply, onto your island's ag lands. .274 a 8'�
Comm. No.
1 Ref. To: P/PSM G
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Ref. Date JUL 2 2013
Mahalo nui loa -
Phoebe Eng
Resident of Kaua'i
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