HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.426 2012-2014 I_ I T`t \o Fr)r- °VA."
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I was born and raised in Hawaii at have-been a-P kient a#�kea-Uka for over 30 years. I
am a veterinarian, but more importantly a single mom of two wonderful girls, Emma and Jade, and I
assist my elderly mother who still lives at home. In order to better support my family, I established 2
Girls Farm LLC in December of last year.
In order for my business to be profitable I had to overcome the exorbitant costs of feed. A
critical component is my ability to grow my own fodder at a greatly reduced expense compared to
purchasing feeds from the feed store.
Bill 79 will directly and adversely affect me, my family, and my business in the following ways
1. I have to import seed mixes containing alfalfa, the majority of which is GMO. It is extremely
difficult to source non-GMO seed stock in order to be compliant with this law. I will now have to
bear the increased expense of these certified non-GMO products as suppliers pass on their
testing and certification costs to me as a consumer.
2. I will now have to "prove" I use GMO seed stock so I can be grandfathered in. I will now have to
pay fees, register my usage and document every aspect of feeding a product which is
unwarrantedly being treated like toxic waste.
3. I postponed importing my main breeding flock from the mainland because if I banned from
using my fodder system, I will go bankrupt before I even start. Yet, if this law is passed and I
don't import my flock now, I won't be "grandfathered" in. I'm in a catch-22 in which I cannot
win.
4. The most costly barrier to raising sheep and goats, especially in tropical climates is parasitism.
There are no new drug classes in development near approval now or in the future.
Research has now focused other organic ingredients found in plants that decrease parasite loads
and fecal egg shedding. According to an article from University of Florida, the most effective is
the feeding of ground of papaya seeds on a daily basis. Because of Bill 79, I will not be able to
take advantage of this essential tool because of the restrictions it places on future novel use of
GMO products.
5. Lastly, this bill will unfairly "taint" and discriminate against my wholesome product because I
use GMO products in the production of my lamb. This is unwarranted! This fact is supported by
at least 3 major regulating government agencies, university studies, and peer reviewed research.
In closing I can state that the passage of Bill 79 will effectively kill 2 Girls Farm before it has even
had the chance to fully get started. The most unfortunate part is that Bill 79 is based on the
mistaken belief that GMOs affect human health, animal health, and the environment despite
being refuted by the USDA, FDA, and EPA. 41
COUNTY CLERK Comm. No
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I Ref, To: V//_cS TG
.) RECEIVED
Time By Ref. Date _0 2
Date 1/2p !
I urge the council to use prudence and established scientific research before passing a bill which
is based solely on emotion, junk science, fear of technology, "big" business, and
misunderstanding of conventional agricultural farming practices. The unintended consequence
of blanket banning a useful,safe technology is very real,and devastating.
Mahalo.
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