HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.412 2012-2014 Page 1 of 2
COUNTY CLERK
Murashige, Laura COUNTY 1117 HAWAII
From: Mikie Kerr[dare2kerr @gmail.com] 2013 JUL - 1 AM 9: 5
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 11:20 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Support Bill 79
Dear Council Members:
I am very much in support of Bill 79 as amended by Council Member Wille.
The failure of the State legislature last session to pass even minimal requirements
for GMO labeling was a big disappointment for myself and others as it takes away
totally our choice as consumers to decide what we eat and feed our families.
Failure at the Legislature means GMO experimentation & planting will not doubt
continue and/or accelerate throughout the State.
That being said, I see Bill 79 as an opportunity for the Big Island to
differentiate itself and create a unique marketing position with a moratorium on
any future GMO planting or experimentation. Past testimony at the Council has
shown consumers definitely want non-GMO foods, so why not take advantage and
be the only island offering that?
Also please consider the organic farm business which is growing every year in
demand and consumption. Big Island farmers supply a huge amount of produce to
local & off-island hotels and contribute to the visitor industry in that way too.
The plight of our local bees (necessary for the pollination of 3 out of every
5 food crops) is terrible and largely due to pesticide use. Round-up ready
seeds used in GMO farming is harmful to the long-term condition of the soil,
causing "super-weeds" to evolve much like super-bugs have in hospital settings.
Stronger poisons will no doubt be needed to combat this vicious cycle of stronger
more virulent weeds produced.
And I have a philosophical problem with forcing farmers to buy GMO seeds
every season where they used to grow their own seed-crop which has long been
the tradition. Patent enforcement for GMO seeds takes the choice out of the
farmer's control and puts them at the mercy of the mega-seed companies. It's just
not right!
The recent amendments offered by Council member Wille strikes a good balance
protecting farmers already engaged in growing virus resistant Papaya or flower
growers while limiting any additional use of transgenic or GMO plants. Removing
the Level 3 Biosafety measures accomplishes the same. It is important to limit
further use of GMOs on the Big Island while it's still possible. � ',.
Comm. No.
Ref.To: PUS 2 013
Ref. Date
7/1/2013